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Once Gordon put England ahead in this latest stormy episode of an old and bitter rivalry, Tuchel decided on a rearguard action.
It worked for England in knockout wins against Mexico and Norway – but it wouldn’t against a Messi-inspired Argentina.
With 18 minutes remaining, goalscorer Gordon was replaced by defender Ezri Konza and it was back to five. He then brought in Nico O’Reilly and Dan Burn for Declan Rice and Rhys James.
It was clear almost immediately that Tuchel called it badly. It did nothing but pressure Argentina and score late. This one was almost all on Tuchel.
If there was one statistic that cruelly condemned his approach, it was that England had just 12% possession between taking the lead and Martinez’s winner some 40 minutes later.
After 96 minutes Tuchel fired over Ivan Toney in a last-minute spurt in England’s attacking need – his first appearance at the tournament.
Tony’s “blink and you’ll miss it” caption also scrutinizes some of Tuchel’s selections. Was Tony just picked for a penalty shootout that never came?
And the debate around Tuchel’s defensive choices, particularly at right-back, will continue to rage.
Tuchel gambled on the fitness of injury-prone Reece James – but when the Chelsea defender went down with a hamstring problem, the right-back suddenly became a problem.
The position became musical chairs between Jarrell Kwansah – injured against Panama and then sidelined against Mexico – before James returned in the semifinals to DZ Spence and Ezri Konsa.
All this while Trent Alexander-Arnold watched from afar, his natural gifts overlooked by Tuchel on the grounds of defensive frailty.
And as the ashes are poured, Tuchel’s decision to ignore the creativity of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden – both of whom had poor seasons with Chelsea and Manchester City – and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White will be revisited.
Jordan Henderson, whose tournament ended in bizarre circumstances when he broke an arm in celebration after the win against Mexico, was taken for his influence around the squad but was never going to be a serious performer on the field.
If Tuchel values his professionalism and personality so much in this area, why not take Henderson with his backroom staff and open up a space for a younger, more creative player?
It was a desperate day for England – and for Tuchel and his tactical approach.
A day when it could easily be said, as the song goes: “Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.”
