@henrywinter Quansah's pace wasn't the problem-Guehi leaving the back line to step into midfield is what created the space. Was that tactical switch actually forced by England's setup, or just a reactive fix for a self-inflicted gap?
i've learned that the ones who text you from the middle of their chaos aren't looking for an escape they're looking for a reason to stay in it with you
Everybody expected the Spanish inquisition. Narrow defeat to the European and world champions is hardly a humiliation. England produced periods of belief, boldness and threat but not enough. Didn’t sustain momentum. Again, against good technical opponents. Too many mistakes. Again, some poor in-game management from Thomas Tuchel. Spain have too much strength in possession and strength in depth; their use of the ball intelligent, their subs terrific. Spain now 39 games unbeaten. That’s why they’re champions. Seven thoughts from Wembley …
1.Doesn’t Tuchel learn? Don’t take Anthony Gordon off. Just don’t. He was flying, as against Argentina in the World Cup in Atlanta. England’s left winger and best player was a constant threat, scoring one, involved in another, and then subbed. At least it was for an attacker this time, Morgan Rogers, but still. A tale of two Barca boys: Lamine Yamal stayed on for the full 90 minutes and was a constant threat.
2.England’s style. Would England “go for the kill” to borrow Harry Kane’s phase? They did eventually but didn’t maintain it. Trailing 1-0, they pressed, they countered, they went for the jugular. Elliot Anderson, excellent, was up for this. Seized on Neco Williams’ slip, and didn’t hesitate. Attack. Anderson-Gordon-Bellingham-Gordon. Goal. O’Reilly-Gordon-O’Reilly-Kane. Goal (via Marc Cucurella; cue huge cheers). England led. But then failed to maintain momentum. Games last 90 minutes, not moments.
3.Cut out the mistakes. Spain's first two - England punished for defensive caution. No 1. Summed up the defensive culture – rather than release Gordon, who was open down the left, Marc Guehi turned back and got robbed by the electric Yamal. No 2. Nico O’Reilly turned back and Dani Olmo pounced, teeing up the sub Alex Baena.
4.Spain’s style. Briefly worried when England pressed. Otherwise so good in and out of possession. Worked so hard to get the ball back. Neco Williams tracking back. Man-for-man at England corners; Rodri pressurising Kane. Will England develop a Rodri? Ball-winner, ball-user, conductor of the orchestra. In possession: Yamal magnificent, not just the finish but so many touches, including one beautiful reverse flick to Olmo. Mikel Oyarzabal’s finish, dinked over James Trafford, was majestic. Spain. So confident. So talented.
5.Tuchel’s changes. Mixed bag. Rogers for Gordon (70). Controversial. Rogers should have come on for the quiet Bukayo Saka. James Garner for Myles Lewis-Skelly (70). Fair enough. Lewis-Skelly had run himself into the ground in midfield.
Morgan Gibbs-White for Saka (83). Fair enough, Saka not threatening enough, cut inside too often rather than go outside Cucurella. Gibbs-White was lively, bringing a threat with his dribbling and passing. Deserves his future place ahead of Cole Palmer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Kane (83), who was tiring and slipped in striking his penalty against bar. Fair enough decision, though unlike Tuchel to take off his captain. Jarrad Branthwaite for Guehi (89). Centre-back for centre-back. At 3-2 down. Why not gamble? Why not Alex Scott or Eberechi Eze? Cautious.
6.Jarell Quansah v Trent Alexander-Arnold. Kyle Walker got on the pitch before Alexander-Arnold - and Walker's retired from England. Walker was celebrated by the Wembley crowd at half-time for his long contribution to the England cause. Quansah won the race for the right-back duties, where he is playing currently for Bayer Leverkusen. Defensively sound, but lacked Alexander-Arnold’s threat in possession. Will Tuchel ever believe in Alexander-Arnold?
7.James Trafford. Blameless with Spain’s three goals. Only his second start, third cap, and the 24-year-old is very promising. England’s No 1 in waiting. But could be a considerable wait. Jordan Pickford returns for games three and four of this four-match international break. Dean Henderson injured. Trafford had no chance for Yamal’s goal. Such a quick turnover. Or for the shot from Baena, who used England defenders to mask his intentions. Or Oyarzabal dart through and dink. Spain too good. England had some good moments but some familiar failings, including Tuchel's. #ENGESP
@Footballtweet Does a guilty verdict retroactively hand you the title? The real loss is the integrity of the competition, not your personal medal count.
@cityreport_ Respecting the players' talent doesn't erase the club's alleged breaches. If the charges are proven, does the on-field success still feel legitimate?
@433@David_Ornstein 114 guilty verdicts is staggering if true. But one charge not proven suggests the case isn't as airtight as claimed. What was the missing charge?