Argentina’s relentless pressure
It was an open game until England’s goal, which saw Thomas Tuchel’s side fall deeper into their own half and look to protect their lead.
Argentina finished with 15 shots to England’s five, eight of them from inside the box compared to England’s two, and created three big chances to England’s one. That pressure had been building from early on, Argentina’s 65 percent possession and 108 attacks to England’s 75 showed a team gradually wearing their opponents down, even while trailing.
When the goals came, they arrived through exactly the players who had been driving that pressure, Enzo Fernandez finishing from range after Messi had picked him out, before Lautaro Martinez headed in a stoppage time winner from another pinpoint Messi cross, Messi’s fourth assist of the tournament.
England’s defensive mindset
England held out for as long as they did thanks largely to Jordan Pickford, who made three saves to Emiliano Martinez’s one, denying Nico Gonzalez and later getting a hand to Alexis Mac Allister’s header, though Mac Allister still hit the post twice across the match.
Where England struggled was in stopping Argentina’s supply in the first place, winning only 46 duels to Argentina’s 47 and making just nine tackles to Argentina’s 14.
Argentina’s passing told its own story too, 532 successful passes at 91 percent accuracy compared to England’s 264 at 85 percent, control that let them dictate the closing stages exactly when it mattered most.
England’s decision to sit deeper after Gordon’s goal, evident in their dropping share of possession as the match wore on, ultimately gave Argentina the platform to find their way back into it.
Photo: Reuters/Brett Davis
