Argentinian media savage Tuchel's tactics and Bellingham after stoppage-time World Cup exit

Argentina’s media turned on England with gleeful precision following the World Cup semi-final, in which Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez headed a stoppage-time winner to overturn Anthony Gordon’s second-half opener for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Sports daily Ole set the tone, declaring that “Argentina humiliated England’s defensiveness” and that Tuchel’s team “fell into the trap of nervousness.” The paper added a pointed cultural barb: “The chivalry and fair play they sell as their emblem were left behind in London.” Ole also singled out Jude Bellingham, repeating the dismissive line “And Bellingham? Nothing” four times in its match report.

La Nacion focused its criticism on Tuchel’s in-game decisions, arguing that his substitutions actively aided Argentina. “Tuchel did his part by making defensive changes, ending up with a 5-4-1 formation,” the paper wrote, noting that the shape paradoxically invited long-range efforts — one of which, from a Messi short corner, led directly to Fernandez’s equaliser.

The English-language Buenos Aires Times was equally unsparing, concluding that England will “live to regret sitting back after Gordon’s opener” and stating that Bellingham and captain Harry Kane “failed to deliver on this occasion” despite being the campaign’s key figures.

Infobae provided the starkest statistical illustration of England’s retreat, reporting that Tuchel’s side held just 12 per cent possession after taking the lead, a figure the outlet linked directly to the manager’s decision to replace Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa.

Pagina12 reached for a famous Diego Maradona quote — originally aimed at River Plate after a defeat to Boca Juniors — to capture England’s second-half collapse. “Tuchel’s team sat back excessively and invited an Argentina side that, with so much at stake, would have easily overwhelmed them anyway,” the paper wrote, before invoking Maradona’s line: “They played a great first half and in the second half, their underwear fell off.”

Amid the tactical dissections, several outlets also referenced Lionel Messi’s influence and drew predictable parallels with the historical rivalry between the two nations, underscoring the depth of satisfaction in Buenos Aires at eliminating the tournament’s host nation.