Carragher blames Tuchel's defensive switch and Pickford for England's World Cup exit against Argentina

Jamie Carragher has delivered a damning verdict on Thomas Tuchel’s management after England were eliminated from the World Cup by Argentina, losing 2-1 in the semi-finals in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday evening — extending 60 years without a major international trophy.

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead on 55 minutes, poking home from close range after Morgan Rogers found him unmarked at the back post. But the momentum shifted sharply when Tuchel opted to protect the lead rather than press for a second goal. With around 20 minutes remaining, he withdrew Gordon for Ezri Konsa, then replaced Reece James and Declan Rice with Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly — a clear signal to defend deep and see the game out.

The plan unravelled with five minutes left when Enzo Fernandez equalised from distance, thundering the ball past Jordan Pickford. The warning signs had been visible: Argentina had been allowed to build pressure at will, with Alexis Mac Allister even striking the post before the equaliser arrived. England ultimately lost the match after that late collapse.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher was unsparing in his assessment of Tuchel’s substitutions and formation change, calling them “the biggest factor in the latest demoralising” defeat. “As the game evolved heading towards its climax, it was obvious Tuchel had to act,” Carragher wrote. “Argentina were piling on the pressure without creating too many chances. The changes should have focused on personnel. The team’s set-up did not demand such radical attention.”

“Once England went to five at the back, it backfired. The incessant shift towards Jordan Pickford’s goal became too much. Within a matter of seconds, it was clear Tuchel had made the wrong call. England retreated and camped on the edge of their penalty area, inviting trouble.”

Carragher, who earned 38 caps for England during his playing career, argued that the switch to wing-backs made matters structurally worse. “Playing with wing-backs meant Argentina could get more crosses into the penalty area and maintain a momentum which had already started to build,” he wrote. Alongside his criticism of Tuchel’s tactics, Carragher also pointed to Pickford’s performance as a contributing factor in the defeat, though the goalkeeper was beaten by a long-range strike that gave him little chance.

The loss means England’s wait for a major international title stretches on, with the semi-final defeat in Atlanta the latest painful chapter in a tournament run that had briefly raised hopes of a first World Cup final appearance since 1966.