Anthony Gordon questions Tuchel substitution after England lose to Argentina

England have returned to St George’s Park still carrying the force of their World Cup exit to Argentina, after a match in Atlanta that turned inside the final 20 minutes. Anthony Gordon’s goal had put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead and within sight of a first final, but the manager’s decision to replace the scorer with Ezri Konsa preceded a decisive swing in Argentina’s favour.

What changed for England

Tuchel sent Konsa on as England moved into a 5-4-1 shape, seeking to protect their narrow advantage. Instead, Argentina took control as England withdrew from the contest, applied sustained pressure and recovered to end the Three Lions’ tournament.

The England manager had initially pointed to his team’s failure to keep possession, but has since accepted that his tactical reaction was premature. He said a chance conceded shortly before a water break had convinced him that his exhausted side would not hold out.

“I thought we would not survive; it felt like death,” Tuchel said. “My response was to go to a back five and a 5-4-1, but that way of thinking arrived too early.”

Tuchel cited the physical demands of matches in Congo, Miami and Norway before Mexico, as well as altitude, as factors behind the squad’s fatigue.

Gordon, 25, was surprised to be taken off so soon after scoring. The former Newcastle player said the goal had put him in an especially strong mental state, with the adrenaline and confidence of scoring normally allowing him to play at his best.

“I had just scored, so honestly I was surprised,” Gordon said. “When I score, I tend to feel full of confidence. On that stage, in that moment, I felt really good.”

He described the sharp emotional reversal in Atlanta, saying he had never felt higher than after his goal against Argentina, nor lower than he did 20 minutes later.

Competition context

England have addressed the elimination directly during their first camp since the summer. The squad held a full meeting on its opening day back at St George’s Park, with Gordon saying it was important that the group did not pretend the disappointment was not there.

The forward said England had believed they were in a strong position to win and that the discussion allowed the players to begin moving on. He characterised the meeting as constructive, adding that Tuchel thanked the group for their work across a summer Gordon called the best period of his life.

For Gordon, the defeat will remain significant, but he believes the experience can still produce a positive response. He said losing something of real value leaves a lasting mark, though that need not be damaging if a player and team learn from it.

• England led Argentina through Gordon’s finish before the late turnaround.
• Tuchel has accepted that the switch to a five-man defence came too early.
• The squad’s debrief focused on recognising the setback while retaining pride in its summer campaign.

What is scheduled next

England resume in September with a UEFA Nations League meeting against Spain, the eventual world champions, followed by a match against the Czech Republic.

The October programme brings a fixture with Croatia and then the return game against the Czechs. Those matches give Tuchel an early opportunity to show that England can manage difficult periods without surrendering attacking control, after a World Cup decision that will remain under close examination.