Former England captain Wayne Rooney has placed the blame for England’s World Cup semi-final defeat squarely on Thomas Tuchel, asserting that the team “crumbled” against Argentina. The match, held in Atlanta, saw England initially take the lead with a goal from Anthony Gordon.

However, Tuchel’s decision to implement several defensive changes allowed Argentina to regain control of the match. Lionel Messi capitalized on these shifts, ultimately helping Argentina secure a 2-1 victory, which propelled them into the final against Spain.

Rooney expressed disappointment with Tuchel’s tactics, particularly after England had successfully managed a rearguard action in their round of 16 match against Mexico. The introduction of defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, and Nico O'Reilly drew heavy criticism from Rooney, who felt these decisions led to England’s downfall.

In his remarks to the BBC, Rooney stated:

• “We have crumbled. It started from the manager and the decisions he made. It was too passive.”
• “Against this team, the world champions, you will not get away with it.”
• “I felt the changes we made at 1-0, that if Argentina scored we wouldn't make extra time.”

Tuchel’s late substitutions of Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford came only in the final moments as England desperately sought an equalizer, having played much of the game with six defenders on the pitch. Rooney articulated the frustration among attacking players, emphasizing how defensive changes can undermine belief and lead to panic during critical moments of the game. He cautioned that allowing high-caliber players like Messi to control the ball near the penalty box would inevitably lead to conceding goals.