The staggering stat that shows England’s World Cup collapse wasn't just Tuchel's fault

England completed just two passes in more than 18 minutes before buckling to Argentina in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final. The scarcely believable statistic should change how the game is framed, particularly around criticism directed towards manager Thomas Tuchel, who has become a punchbag for media and fan criticism in the wake of the defeat. England’s World Cup exits always have their villains – from David Beckham in 1998 to Gareth Southgate in 2022 – but this time around, the verdict has fallen harshest on the German following a 2-1 loss to Argentina. Whether it’s a kick out by David Beckham or David Seaman straying too far from his goal line, England’s World Cup exits inevitably have their villains. Following the Three Lions’ 2-1 loss against Argentina, the verdict has fallen harshest on manager Tuchel for retreating and adopting a defensive approach when his side had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon. England buckled in the closing stages of the game, first via a long-range shot from Enzo Fernandez and secondly from a close-range header from Lautaro Martinez. Both goals were assisted by Lionel Messi, whose influence grew as the game progressed and once again emerged as Argentina’s ace. Six minutes (plus stoppages) were all that separated England from a first World Cup final since 1966, with Tuchel becoming the punchbag after the loss. It’s a role he’s willingly accepted. "Straight after our goal, with no substitutions, we just conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances. So we tried to help," he said. "But of course the responsibility is on the coach. And … if it doesn’t go well, it’s easy to say that it was wrong." Why has Tuchel been criticised? Tuchel has faced criticism because of the substitutions he made, which have been perceived to have taken the impetus out of England’s attacking game. Argentina had historically struggled when stretched during this World Cup and were fortunate to escape with victory against Egypt earlier in the competition when their opponents countered them. England’s goal even arrived from such a situation. In taking Gordon off and replacing him with Ezra Konsa, though, the Three Lions lost much of this threat. It was a move that handed the initiative to Argentina, inviting them to attack without one of the to think about on the break. England’s alarming loss of control There’s more to it than that, though. While Tuchel’s tactics undoubtedly played a role in Argentina turning the game around, the players’ execution of his plans deserves far closer criticism than has been offered. Over a half-hour spell between England’s goal and Argentina equalising, Tuchel’s side completed just 25 passes. But the numbers get worse. During a run that lasted more than 18 minutes between 66:05 and 84:42, England completed just two passes – an exchange between Jordan Pickford and John Stones in their own box. Not a single pass was completed for nearly a quarter of the game. Regardless of the tactics that Tuchel employed, these figures should be a source of embarrassment for the England players and particularly the midfield. And the German suggested as such. "We conceded [chances] straight away, we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open," he said. "We conceded a lot of chances and we could not turn the ball possession around. It doesn't help if you don't have the ball. We couldn't get out. Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I had the feeling it was not a substitution that would help." England’s midfield needs to take a share of the blame Elliot Anderson was made the most expensive midfielder in history a matter of weeks ago and was incapable of getting on the ball. Declan Rice, a player Arsenal fans believe should be in contention for the Ballon d’Or was similarly culpable, though at least he has the excuse of having been ill and was taken off just before this barren period ended. Between Anderson, Rice and the third midfielder, England had a midfield trio that has been signed for a combined figure of more than €360 million, yet none had the wherewithal or ability to be able to get on the ball under pressure. Regardless of the opponents and the tactics, that the midfield was incapable of gaining even the slightest foothold in the game cannot – and should not – be pinned solely on the manager. Football is littered with great teams excused their excesses for one reason or another.