Until gordon

FIFA World Cup: England supporters and pundits have been almost unanimous in pointing the finger of blame for Wednesday's 2-1 FIFA World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina at coach Thomas Tuchel and the decisions he made after Anthony Gordon had given his side the lead early in the second half.

Until Gordon's goal, it had been a tight and cagey contest. Argentina sought to congest central areas and deny England space around its penalty area, while England looked to use the flanks and exploit the width of the pitch. Both sides were careful in possession and reluctant to take unnecessary risks.

The breakthrough came when England stretched Argentina down the right, allowing Morgan Rogers to deliver a cross that Gordon converted. England had managed possession effectively, and although the match was hardly a spectacle for neutral viewers, its game plan was working, reports Xinhua.