Rooney, Shearer and Muller turn on Tuchel after England's World Cup semi-final collapse against Argentina

Thomas Tuchel’s tactical decisions came under fierce scrutiny after England were eliminated from the World Cup at the semi-final stage, losing 2-1 to Argentina after throwing away a lead they had held for half an hour.

Anthony Gordon gave England the advantage in the 55th minute, but Tuchel responded by switching from a back four to a back five — a move that handed Lionel Messi the freedom to dictate proceedings. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who had been largely quiet in the first hour, contributed two assists as Argentina overturned the deficit. Enzo Fernandez curled a 25-yard effort into the top corner before Lautaro Martinez headed home Messi’s cross in the 92nd minute to send the defending champions into a final against Spain.

Wayne Rooney was blunt in his assessment on the BBC, accusing Tuchel of panicking on the touchline. “It’s a panic, it’s a real panic,” the former Manchester United striker said. “You can’t go a goal up and then surrender the ball and surrender any opportunity of trying to get the second goal. You want to be on the front foot when the pressure is on Argentina to get back in the game.”

Rooney also highlighted the psychological damage inflicted on the players by the tactical retreat. “If you’re on that pitch, go 1-0 up and then see the changes the manager is making… you are losing belief. There’s only so many times you can get away with it. You start thinking: ‘We’re going to sit back, how are we going to get through this?’”

Alan Shearer echoed those concerns, pointing out that the passive approach which had worked against lesser opponents was always likely to be punished by a side of Argentina’s quality. “He played his cards very early in the hope he could hang on and it backfired,” Shearer said. “Hanging on versus Norway and Mexico, they perhaps don’t have the quality Argentina have in terms of ability on the ball and to punish, plus their attitude. Could he have put some pace on? They were physically and mentally done once Argentina got that first goal.”

Former Germany international Thomas Muller was equally baffled, taking to social media to express his disbelief. “I cannot believe and understand how England approaches this game, especially after they are leading,” Muller wrote. “I cannot understand, to invite the whole Argentina game to hit one cross after another from perfect crossing positions.”

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart also weighed in on the debate, with the suggestion that Gareth Southgate — who managed England for eight years before Tuchel’s appointment — may find the situation uncomfortably familiar.