Ken Early: Thomas Tuchel’s all-time bottle job hands Argentina World Cup final place
This commentary piece criticizes England manager Thomas Tuchel for his defensive tactical decisions during the World Cup semifinal loss to Argentina. The author argues that Tuchel's choice to play defensively allowed Lionel Messi and Argentina to capitalize and win the match.
Why it matters
It highlights the intense public and media scrutiny surrounding high-stakes international football management and tactical failures.
Too much? Was Lionel Messi asking for too much?
The universe had aligned to give him the most beautiful goodbye any footballer could have imagined – victory in the World Cup at his fifth and surely final attempt, now to ascend into Argentinian football Valhalla to feast alongside Diego.
But he wanted to do it again. Coming back to the World Cup at the age of 39.
It led to this semi-final against England . The prospect of ending his international career with defeat against Argentina’s most hated rival, a defeat that would mark his career forever: Diego would never have let this happen.
Would the temptation to punish his hubris at last prove too much for the gods? Not yet. Not yet!
Argentina are in the World Cup final again, thanks to the inspiration from their captain, and to an all-time bottle job from England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel.
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