World cup 2026

[Phil H]

Strange that loss didint hurt as much as it normally does. I am fairly already over it.

Must have somthing to do with my other team winning a few trophies recently 😅

I was thinking the same thing. I don't know how old you are, but I'm in my 60s. I've seen so much dross over the years since Mexico 1970 that this current crop of England players since Southgate are a breath of fresh air. To finish top 4 in WC is commendable. The future is bright. Although even my wife who doesn't follow football was annoyed when Gordon was subbed.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

I have never seen a team park the bus for 30+ minutes and actually get away with it. It can only be described as stupid. Just stupid.

F.A Cup final, 2025, we did it, and did it well, honestly the Palace defence Muñoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi and Mitchell, is far superior than what England have, you cant do that with Stones and Burn as 2 of the 3 CDers

 

[Willo]

Tuchel was employed to elevate England to the next level. Under Southgate, England defeated the teams they were expected to defeat and failed when they were underdogs.
Under Tuchel this situation has not changed one iota.NO progress whatsoever.

 

[Eaglecoops]

The baffling substitution of Konsa for Gordon and literally the whole of the last half hour, was the worse defensive set up I think I’ve ever seen at that level of football. The back 5 were virtually stood on the 6 yard line inviting Argentina to shoot and cross.

Everyone I was with and probably most of England knew the inevitable was going to happen.

Kane was spent as was Bellingham. We would have been far better off bringing Saka on and Rashford and telling them to stay up top and refreshing the midfield. If nothing else it would have stopped Argentina attacking with 10 men. We had no out ball to relieve pressure.

I also cannot believe that Messi took a short corner 4 times and each time received the ball back followed by a dangerous cross and on the final occasion the killer pass to Fernandez. Not once did the full back go out to stop Messi getting the return pass.

Sorry to say it but Tuchel looked like Southgate all over again, unable to make the right decisions at pressure cooker moments.

 

[Willo]

The baffling substitution of Konsa for Gordon and literally the whole of the last half hour, was the worse defensive set up I think I’ve ever seen at that level of football. The back 5 were virtually stood on the 6 yard line inviting Argentina to shoot and cross.

Everyone I was with and probably most of England knew the inevitable was going to happen.

Kane was spent as was Bellingham. We would have been far better off bringing Saka on and Rashford and telling them to stay up top and refreshing the midfield. If nothing else it would have stopped Argentina attacking with 10 men. We had no out ball to relieve pressure.

I also cannot believe that Messi took a short corner 4 times and each time received the ball back followed by a dangerous cross and on the final occasion the killer pass to Fernandez. Not once did the full back go out to stop Messi getting the return pass.

Sorry to say it but Tuchel looked like Southgate all over again, unable to make the right decisions at pressure cooker moments.

I wholeheartedly concur with these sentiments.
In the final analysis to reach the Semi-Finals we recorded single goal victories against teams rated 14th and 31st in World football in the Knock-out stage.
I suspect had we faced Brazil in the Quarter-Final we would have been defeated by them.
Overall, Tuchel has not proved to be any upgrade on Southgate, bizarre tactics last night and questionable squad selections.

 

[CrazyBadger]

For me, this performance showed that there is something inherently built into englidh players where when they go ahead, specifically in the 2nd half, we can't help but sit back and defend. The same thing happenned vs Italy where we just sat back and allowed them to attack. The opposition ups there intensity and we cannot respond. Its happenned again and again and again.
This time Tuchel compounded the issue with his substitutions, but not sure what other choices he had in his squad. We needed someone to take back a little control in midfield, and allow us to play up the pitch. Rashford or saka ain't gonna do that, who else is there?
The sub i would have made is Gordon for Watkins, who would remind argies we have a threat behind their defence? And allow Bellingham to drop a bit deeper whilst under the kosh, and give him some support when we broke.
Ultimately though, another England loss to the first truly decent team. Same old england.

 

[martin2412]

Since 1966 one thing you can rely on is England will always f**k it up and disappoint the fans

We only won that one because we were at home, oh and the Russian linesman.

 

[Badger11]

For me, this performance showed that there is something inherently built into englidh players where when they go ahead, specifically in the 2nd half, we can't help but sit back and defend. The same thing happenned vs Italy where we just sat back and allowed them to attack. The opposition ups there intensity and we cannot respond. Its happenned again and again and again.
This time Tuchel compounded the issue with his substitutions, but not sure what other choices he had in his squad. We needed someone to take back a little control in midfield, and allow us to play up the pitch. Rashford or saka ain't gonna do that, who else is there?
The sub i would have made is Gordon for Watkins, who would remind argies we have a threat behind their defence? And allow Bellingham to drop a bit deeper whilst under the kosh, and give him some support when we broke.
Ultimately though, another England loss to the first truly decent team. Same old england.

I know Gordon scored our goal but I noticed last night as in previous games he does not like a physical game. Several times he pulled out when I though he should have got the ball. If I have noticed this I assume the coaches and opposition players have. He was quite weak for me.

 

[TheBigToePunt]

Tuchel was employed to elevate England to the next level. Under Southgate, England defeated the teams they were expected to defeat and failed when they were underdogs.
Under Tuchel this situation has not changed one iota.NO progress whatsoever.

Spot on.

And to underline your point further, the team has no more cohesion, tactical sophistication, or understanding than they did under Southgate. They may even have slightly less.

The conclusion I draw from this, personally, is not that Southgate is better than Tuchel necessarily, but that national teams just have the players they have. The guy in the dugout is not that important. Even if he is a genius, he has so little time and games with the players to affect their method of playing that it doesn't matter how clever he is.

This mad idea the FA have had for over 20 years that to spend enough on a manager with a big enough name and CV will make the difference, has once again been disproved. Didn't work with Sven, didn't work with Capello, hasn't worked with Tuchel.

 

[Frenchaigle]

F.A Cup final, 2025, we did it, and did it well, honestly the Palace defence Muñoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi and Mitchell, is far superior than what England have, you cant do that with Stones and Burn as 2 of the 3 CDers

I don't remember that many crosses coming in for cup final but I could be wrong .
Messi s crosses were vicious , top drawer .
England didn't shut those crosses out .

 

[stanzerman]

Surprised nobody's raised the remote possibility of corruption

 

[mileend]

Strange that loss didint hurt as much as it normally does. I am fairly already over it.

Must have somthing to do with my other team winning a few trophies recently 😅

I feel totally the same. Had a brilliant run of football triumphs over the past 18 months, more than I ever really expected, so not devastated about England returning to type. Over it already.

Especially as it was such a clearly and obvious tactical disaster from Tuchel. Basically he compounded the issue of England instinctively dropping back after going ahead instead of trying to correct it.

Needed defensive midfielders not defenders to get a grip of the midfield and win the ball and then pace up front. I don't rate Mainoo highly but for him not to get a minute in the tournament? Obviously Tuchel didn't rate him either so why take him?

Put all his eggs in the Rice - Anderson basket. Rice was a physical wreck from his Arsenal season and ill for the past two games but still played. Anderson had some average games and some good games but he couldn't do it all himself.

Would Wharton have helped? Probably, but most likely wouldn't have been given any minutes either. Despite being a proven winner. Though I accept physically he may struggled too and needed the rest.

But hopefully he will be be brilliant for Palace this season and keen to show the country what they could have had on the pitch.

 

[Willo]

Spot on.

And to underline your point further, the team has no more cohesion, tactical sophistication, or understanding than they did under Southgate. They may even have slightly less.

The conclusion I draw from this, personally, is not that Southgate is better than Tuchel necessarily, but that national teams just have the players they have. The guy in the dugout is not that important. Even if he is a genius, he has so little time and games with the players to affect their method of playing that it doesn't matter how clever he is.

This mad idea the FA have had for over 20 years that to spend enough on a manager with a big enough name and CV will make the difference, has once again been disproved. Didn't work with Sven, didn't work with Capello, hasn't worked with Tuchel.

The "Guy in the dugout" is responsible for selecting his World Cup squad and in my humble estimation some of his decisions were beyond my comprehension.

 

[Frenchaigle]

How many Palace fans would trade the FA cup win for England winning World Cup ?

 

[ASCPFC]

How many Palace fans would trade the FA cup win for England winning World Cup ?

None

 

[Eaglehamster]

We're ranked 4th and Argentina are 1st, so not sure it's the disaster I'm listening to this morning

Had Tuchel not employed the "park the bus" tactic, England may still have lost, we'll never know. But at least we'd have gone down fighting instead of what was, to all intents and purposes, a surrender.
If England had gone back any further they'd have all been on the goal line.

 

[silvertop]

We only won that one because we were at home, oh and the Russian linesman.

The Azeris get very upset when he is called Russian

 

[ASCPFC]

Spot on.

And to underline your point further, the team has no more cohesion, tactical sophistication, or understanding than they did under Southgate. They may even have slightly less.

The conclusion I draw from this, personally, is not that Southgate is better than Tuchel necessarily, but that national teams just have the players they have. The guy in the dugout is not that important. Even if he is a genius, he has so little time and games with the players to affect their method of playing that it doesn't matter how clever he is.

This mad idea the FA have had for over 20 years that to spend enough on a manager with a big enough name and CV will make the difference, has once again been disproved. Didn't work with Sven, didn't work with Capello, hasn't worked with Tuchel.

How do other teams look more cohesive than England then? They don't really have better players overall. The opposition managers seem better. Could it be that Tuchel is just crap like he was at Chelsea? I was completely against his appointment and I was certainly against his contract renewal before the tournament. Anybody with a brain would say, we will review your contract based on performance.
England didn't exactly set the world a light anyway. They relied on players as their tactics were either wrong or non existent. They relied on Kane and Bellingham yet left them with no support last night. Kane was completely isolated in particular. I also didn't agree with the selection initially. In my opinion, one of Palmer or Foden was needed and Gordon and Rashford aren't really good enough. I'd have picked Madueke for pace personally - but that selection has been highly criticised.
The bottom line is that is a team not really capable of creating much or defending well. An in between team with good individuals and poor tactics. That totally reminds me of Chelsea under Tuchel.
Just get an English manager and have done with it. Howe will be sacked soon.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I feel totally the same. Had a brilliant run of football triumphs over the past 18 months, more than I ever really expected, so not devastated about England returning to type. Over it already.

Especially as it was such a clearly and obvious tactical disaster from Tuchel. Basically he compounded the issue of England instinctively dropping back after going ahead instead of trying to correct it.

Needed defensive midfielders not defenders to get a grip of the midfield and win the ball and then pace up front. I don't rate Mainoo highly but for him not to get a minute in the tournament? Obviously Tuchel didn't rate him either so why take him?

Put all his eggs in the Rice - Anderson basket. Rice was a physical wreck from his Arsenal season and ill for the past two games but still played. Anderson had some average games and some good games but he couldn't do it all himself.

Would Wharton have helped? Probably, but most likely wouldn't have been given any minutes either. Despite being a proven winner. Though I accept physically he may struggled too and needed the rest.

But hopefully he will be be brilliant for Palace this season and keen to show the country what they could have had on the pitch.

It doesn't seem that long since Foden and Palmer were the future of England football and were probably ahead of Wharton in the queue this time. Adam Wharton of LiverArseCity might be a different story.

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

None

Not me either.