Tuchel fails to learn from Atlanta debacle

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Maintaining a consistency of identity would be a start, not least in order to send a coherent message to your team, fans, and opponents.

Cutting out basic errors and mistakes might be another.

However, based on England’s wretched semi-final exit against Argentina in Atlanta, and again in the aftermath of Saturday evening’s pulsating, but ultimately frustrating 3-2 to defeat to Spain, surely the premise that you do not, under any circumstances, substitute Anthony Gordon must be high on the list of “don’ts” for Thomas Tuchel.

Sadly, two months after hooking the influential Gordon after netting the opener in the momentous last-four clash against the Albiceleste, it appears England boss Tuchel still hasn’t read the memo.

The Three Lions head coach, who hooked Gordon for defender Ezri Konsa after the 25-year-old attacker had scored to put England 1-0 up against the then world champions in Atlanta back in July, was at it again, this time against reigning title holders Spain.

In front of 84,525 fans at Wembley Stadium, with a compelling game evenly poised at 2-2, Tuchel switched Gordon once again, after the former Newcastle attacker, now resident at the Nou Camp in Barcelona colours, had scored to put the home side 2-1 ahead shortly before the interval.

In what had been a breathless start to the eagerly awaited clash at the national stadium, Lamine Yamal scored inside two minutes, following a dreadful error from Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, with Luis de la Fuente dominating.

It would have been no exaggeration to say Tuchel’s sloppy side could have been four down if it wasn’t for World Cup-winning forward Ferran Torres having an off day, before Gordon’s goal on a swift counter, and a Harry Kane header deflected off Marc Cucurella, improbably had the hosts ahead at the break.

That was before Kane missed a 54th-minute penalty, spurning the chance for the Three Lions to go 3-1 up. The spot-kick awarded by Italian referee Davide Massa after Rodri was punished following a VAR check for the former City midfielder’s errant challenge on Jude Bellingham in the box. Up stepped Kane to fire against Unai Simon’s bar, and away.

Momentum swung from that point. Substitute Alex Baena restoring parity at 2-2 on the hour mark, prior to setting up Mikel Oyarzabal for the winner 16 minutes from time.

Yet, just as in Atlanta, Tuchel withdrawing Gordon with 20 minutes remaining with the score finely balanced derailed hopes of an England victory. Even if, at Wembley, the German boss introduced Morgan Rogers, rather than a defender.

“The start was terrible, the worst start possible,” Tuchel said, speaking after the match.

“It makes it so, so difficult to be behind against this kind of team.”

Gordon added: “I think it’s a bit of a missed chance.”  “I thought it was a great game to watch, with the quality of attacking play on show at the highest level. But in a game like that, mistakes cost you. You always feel like you’ve given it away rather than been beaten.

Gordon added: “We’ve talked a lot about identity for this team moving forward, and that’s the template.”

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