Wayne Rooney’s Frustration Reveals Shocking England Substitution Secrets After World Cup Semi-Final Loss
Former England striker Wayne Rooney has criticised Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel for his substitutions in the World Cup semi-final defeat against holders Argentina.
England took the lead through Anthony Gordon’s close-range finish early in the second half in Atlanta but had just 12 percent of the possession between their opening goal and Argentina‘s second.
The first 17 minutes of that period preceded Tuchel‘s first change but the decision to replace Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa and move to a back five with 18 minutes left, while Tuchel later revealed it was a response to what was already happening, handed the momentum to the world champions.
‘We had no outlets’
There are tactical reasons to question England’s manager for the way they ended the game. Giving Argentina the opportunity to park Lionel Messi unhindered 25 yards from their goal is among the more obvious.
But if football is a game of impetus and intent, the specific tactical outlook might be less significant than what Rooney interpreted as a signal of surrender. England defended resolutely against Mexico and Norway but it doesn’t take Valeriy Lobanovskyi to understand why these were different circumstances.
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