US President Donald Trump has weighed in on England’s heartbreaking World Cup semi final defeat to Argentina, questioning manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactical decisions after the Three Lions surrendered a second half lead.
Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested England became too defensive after going ahead and criticised what he described as moving one of the team’s best players into a defensive role.
“You have a great player in England, who I played golf with, you know that, right? Harry, who’s been fantastic,” Trump said, referring to England captain Harry Kane.
“I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player.”
England took the lead early in the second half but were pegged back by the defending champions, who scored twice late on to seal a 2-1 victory and book their place in the World Cup final.
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Trump admitted he was not a football expert but said England should have continued attacking rather than trying to protect their advantage.
“What do I know about soccer?” he said.
“They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence.
“We have got to be a little offensive, right? But no, I’m not going to call it. What do I know about coaching? It was unusual, but Harry is a great guy, actually.”
Trump’s comments add to the growing scrutiny facing Tuchel, whose late tactical changes have been heavily criticised by pundits and fans following England’s dramatic exit.
Background
England looked set to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions the lead early in the second half. However, the momentum shifted after England retreated into a more defensive approach, with manager Thomas Tuchel replacing goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute and switching to a back five.
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The tactical change invited sustained Argentine pressure, and the reigning world champions capitalised late in the game. Enzo Fernández equalised before Lautaro Martínez scored the winner, sealing a 2-1 comeback victory and ending England’s hopes of winning a first major international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
The German coach defended his decisions after the match, insisting his side became “too passive” after scoring and that switching to a back five was intended to deal with Argentina’s relentless pressure rather than invite it.
