Soccer
Judgement Day: Analysing Thomas Tuchel's decision-making at the World Cup
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Thomas Tuchel had been praised for his decision-making during this World Cup, but now he has become the guilty party.
Before the tournament even began, the German made several divisive decisions with his squad selection, but as England progressed deeper into the competition, there were fewer complaints.
Against Croatia and Mexico in particular, the 52-year-old made decisive game-changing substitutions, something that Gareth Southgate was long criticised for.
Tuchel is now taking the brunt for the Three Lions' crumbling against Argentina as DAZN News analyses his judgment from beginning to end.
Did Thomas Tuchel get his squad selection right?
Tuchel made a statement before a ball had even been kicked by leaving Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire at home, but there were others overlooked who could have benefited this England side.
Luke Shaw, Lewis Hall and Adam Wharton had every right to feel aggrieved, and considering the manner in which the Three Lions exited the World Cup, the latter would have provided a useful option.
The decision to bring Kobbie Mainoo but not utilise him is an eyebrow-raiser, especially given how out of sync England's midfield looked whenever Declan Rice was absent.
Tuchel was criticised for bringing Djed Spence and Dan Burn, but both made significant contributions in their own right, with the pair gaining cult status among supporters.
Speaking before the tournament, the German explained that he selected the players he did to deal with different situations, including set-pieces, but his decision to take nine defenders and seven midfielders is one that now feels poor.
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How was Tuchel's in-game management?
One of Tuchel's key selling points was his intelligence and will to make key changes during games, being a more proactive manager than Southgate.
In England's opening group game against Croatia, the 52-year-old's decision to bring on Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers on 72 minutes was bold, but it essentially killed the game.
Then against Mexico in the Round of 16, when the Three Lions were down to 10 men and facing a bombardment of crosses, John Stones, Burn and Spence's introductions were just what was needed, defending as if their lives depended on it.
However, in England's biggest moment, in Tuchel's biggest moment, with the score 1-0 against world champions Argentina, he got everything wrong.
After Anthony Gordon's goal, the Three Lions retreated into their shell and invited significant pressure from a side with obvious quality in forward areas.
Rather than taking the game to a team that struggles to deal with pace and with two centre-backs on yellow cards, the German's first throw of the dice was to take off Gordon and bring on Ezri Konsa.
The warning signs were there. Lionel Scaloni's side hit the post through Alexis MacAllister, and Tuchel subbed on two more defenders in Burn and Nico O'Reilly, with Rice and Reece James making way.
That was before Argentina had even scored their first goal, and as soon as Enzo Fernandez's effort rifled the back of the net, there was no going back.
Tuchel gambled by bringing on a glut of defenders, and while that was the obvious thing to do against Mexico with 10 men, it invited further pressure and eventually Lautaro Martinez's winner.
"In the moment, there are no regrets," Tuchel said after the game, but if and when he analyses England's exit, he will see the same issues that tarnished Sir Gareth Southgate's reign.
Of course, the players must shoulder some of the responsibility.
England sat far too deep before the German had made a substitute, and Martinez was allowed far too much space in the box despite there being a wealth of defenders on the pitch.
Between 66.05 and 84.42 minutes, the Three Lions made two passes, both between Jordan Pickford and Stones. Yes, you read that correctly.
England have now lost each of their last seven World Cup knockout games against nations ranked inside the top 10, and a change in mentality is desperately needed but difficult to achieve.
Tuchel's decision-making will define this tournament, from squad selection to in-game management, and it is something that he must accept if he is to lead the Three Lions to a second major trophy.
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