England captain Harry Kane couldn’t hide his disappointment after Thomas Tuchel’s team bowed out of the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night.
Tuchel was appointed England head coach in January 2025, replacing Sir Gareth Southgate.
Hopes were high that the Three Lions could book their place in Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain await, particularly after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock against the Argentines in the second half.
Gordon’s back-post tap-in on 55 minutes came from an inviting cross from Morgan Rogers – but rather than pushing for a second goal, England slowly sat deeper, inviting pressure from Argentina.
Back-five switch backfires
Tuchel’s in-game tactics were hailed after the memorable win over Mexico – but he has been widely criticised for replacing Gordon with Ezri Konsa, as well as switching to a back five.
Kane was left increasingly isolated as England found themselves camped in their own half – and after some fine saves from Jordan Pickford, Argentina equalised on 86 minutes when Enzo Fernandez thumped home a 20-yard piledriver.
That gave Argentina all the momentum they needed, eventually breaking England hearts with a stoppage-time Lautaro Martinez winner, who headed home a Lionel Messi cross.
Captain Kane ‘gutted’
Kane said after the game: “I’m gutted. Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on which at this level is just not enough, so I’m gutted.
“We worked so hard to be here. The lads have given every last bit of running, sweat, blood, tears, whatever it is, so to fall short like today is just gutting.”
He added on Sky Sports: “We struggled to get pressure on the ball [after the goal].
“I thought especially in the first half and at the start of the second half we pressed them well, put them under loads of pressure, especially high up the pitch, which allowed us to win balls and control the game a little bit better.
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