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World Cup winner slams 'cowardly' Thomas Tuchel as England sent home by Argentina

Thomas Tuchel's England were criticised for failing to take the initiative in their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina

[Thomas Tuchel was accused of being 'cowardly' by Iker Casillas]

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Thomas Tuchel was accused of being 'cowardly' by Iker Casillas

Former World Cup winner Iker Casillas launched a scathing attack on England and Thomas Tuchel for taking a 'cowardly approach' in their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. The Three Lions succumbed to a late 2-1 loss against the reigning world champions after Anthony Gordon's early goal was trumped by Enzo Fernandez's long-range strike and Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time winner.

The South American nation had dominated the final quarter of the game as they pushed for an equaliser and winner, sending wave after wave on England's goal. Jordan Pickford was forced into several fine stops before Alexis Mac Allister twice hit the woodwork with a header against each post.

Tuchel opted to switch to a 5-4-1 formation, sending on defensive duo Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly late on to help preserve their advantage. But England's deep positioning may well have been their downfall as they struggled to hang onto the ball in the final knockings of the game.

Casillas, who won the 2010 edition of the tournament with Spain as well as clinching the European Championship crown in 2008 and 2012, was heavily critical of Tuchel's side. In a brief but hard-hitting social media post, the outspoken goalkeeping icon accused England of being 'cowardly'.

"They [England] score the goal and drop back. A cowardly approach," Casillas, 45, posted on his verified X account. "They havent ventured out of their own half and have allowed [Argentina] to push forward more. The inevitable happens."

England had beaten DR Congo, co-hosts Mexico and Norway on their way to the final four. It's the third time in four tournaments that they have reached this stage of a major international tournament and only once have they made the final - against Spain at Euro 2024.

Captain Harry Kane admitted there was a 'missing piece' in England's approach in the latter stages of the tournament, while Tuchel rued his side's defensive approach in the final moments of the game. Speaking to BBC One, he said: "We're disappointed, we were so close but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances.

[Iker Casillas at the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France]

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Iker Casillas at the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France

"We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots. We were close but couldn't keep the level up after we scored."

On his choice of substitutions, Tuchel added: "I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players. We conceded [a chance] straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open.

"They won every header, they kept crossing and crossing so we went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be strong in the air. Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help. Of course, the responsibility is on the coach and if it doesn't go well, it is easy to say it was wrong."

As Kane relayed, Tuchel explained that he wanted his team to push for a second goal when 1-0 up: "It doesn't help if you can't get the ball. We couldn't get out," he added. "Of course, we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help. We stayed in our 4-4-2 but we became passive, more and more passive.

"We couldn't win any balls, we couldn't keep the ball so I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely. It's no problem, I can understand these discussions are out there and there are millions of coaches after the game who know it better."

[Harry Kane is consoled by Lionel Messi after England's defeat]

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Harry Kane was consoled by Lionel Messi after England's defeat(Image: AFP or licensors)

England still have one game left to play in the World Cup, with Tuchel expected to rotate his squad for the third-place playoff with France on Saturday in Miami. Players such as Trevoh Chalobah, Ivan Toney and Dean Henderson may get a chance to play after being benched for the majority of the tournament in North America.

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