Lionel Scaloni has openly discussed how he is not a coach for major tactical shifts or the intricacies of modern football — even if he is a World Cup winner.
What he loves most about leading this team — presumably other than watching his players kick lumps out of opponents — are the team barbeques at base camps.
They had a huge one of those this week but Scaloni, whose general assessment of himself is self-deprecating, is far more than a guy bringing vibes and grill juicy steaks.
He stuck to the tactical plan here when Anthony Gordon put England ahead by keeping a midfield four and chucking on Lautaro Martinez to offer guile inside the box. Not deviating and trusting his system.
Argentina recorded 88 per cent possession for the remainder of the game. That saw them launch a late assault that paid dividends with Enzo Fernandez’s strike and the rest.
They had thrown everything at England before that, Alexis Mac Allister hitting the post, leading to some huge defensive interventions, particularly from John Stones and Djed Spence.
Lionel Scaloni celebrates after leading Argentina to a second straight World Cup final
Alexis Mac Allister hit the post during Argentina’s onslaught on the England goal
Ironically, Fernandez let fly for the equaliser just minutes after celebrations from Boxpark in London flashed up on the big screen.
Substitute Valentin Barco had run on the pitch to goad England players as Argentina celebrated and the will of Scaloni side saw Martinez climb off the bench to break English hearts. A smart change from the boss.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
The meek ending did not marry up with a beginning of intent. England had refused to cower. Fifteen seconds in and Jude Bellingham was charging over to England’s left touchline to Nahuel Molina, forcing the full back into passing out of play.
Those inside the stadium of an England persuasion were up. England were up. If Argentina were unaware of the mentality that Thomas Tuchel has instilled across 18 months and this tournament, then they realised in that moment.
Along came immediate retribution. Leandro Paredes stormed into Bellingham, who took a whack to the neck. Fernandez rattled into the back of Elliot Anderson.
They were clear bookings. Referee Ismail Elfath decided to let these go, Argentina’s midfield crowding the American at every opportunity. But these were the moments when England had to earn their right.
In the opening 20 minutes, England recorded 81 passes to Argentina’s 94, despite enjoying more of the ball. It spoke to an opponent that refused to allow them more than a few seconds on the ball before committing fouls, resetting and spoiling proceedings.
Jude Bellingham goes head to head with Argentina players in one of the early flashpoints
Tuchel preached on the eve of this semi-final that it was like any other game, yet was barely kidding himself. This was no other game and England prepared for a slugfest.
Argentina preyed on Anderson and it is understandable why. Even if he is now worth £116million, of those in central areas, England’s No 8 was the only one new to all of this. They tested his mettle with snide boots and doubtless snider comments.
Anderson, carded for taking down a breaking Lionel Messi, stood up to the exam. Pinching the ball off Messi on halfway received a big roar. He set the tone in that first half, occupying space well as Messi buzzed and others roamed, to give England a foundation. Lesser England sides would not have dealt with this sort of physicality.
In the end, it was the sheer footballing wave after wave that did for England – not the gamesmanship, as had been predicted by some.
RIGHT OF PASSAGE
England sensed joy down the right and had clearly earmarked it beforehand. How could they not? Nico Tagliafico, perennially linked with Premier League clubs yet not renowned for his defensive prowess at left back, had nobody in front of him on that side.
Harry Kane kept dropping into those pockets, Paredes scanning as if to wonder if anybody might help him look after England’s captain. They didn’t and there were a couple of warning signs for Argentina.
Once Kane moved backwards, the trigger was on. Reece James formed an overlap with Morgan Rogers, doubling up on Tagliafico, but the Chelsea man’s low cross was easily cut out by Emiliano Martinez. The second time Kane managed that, James won a dangerous throw.
Morgan Rogers clashes with Nico Tagliafico in an area Thomas Tuchel wanted to exploit
Clearly this was an area Tuchel fancied. Mac Allister was nearest to helping out Tagliafico, yet there was no chance when Kane again came looking for possession, clipped over for Rogers and Gordon met his cross for the opener.
It was as if England had studied Argentina more than Ezri Konsa’s claim that they had not watched any of their games.
Scaloni reacted, bringing on Nico Gonzalez as a left midfielder, and that changed the game. Tuchel’s game-management and substitutions were second best, even if their preparation had so obviously caused Argentina untold difficulties.
‘No regrets,’ Tuchel said afterwards. He must be the only one.
