Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
England collapse statistics reveal how Thomas Tuchel’s team lost control after taking the lead against Argentina in their FIFA World Cup semifinal at Atlanta Stadium on July 15. Argentina overturned Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal to win 2-1 and end England’s title hopes.
England recorded only 12 per cent possession during the 30 minutes between Anthony Gordon’s opener and Enzo Fernández’s equaliser. OptaJoe described it as “the lowest by a team to be winning for at least 10 minutes in a World Cup match in the last 60 years.”
The physical side is examined in Argentina’s semifinal foul count, while the official FIFA match centre confirms the score and key events.
England Lose Every Escape Route
The sharpest decline followed Ezri Konsa’s introduction for Anthony Gordon as England moved into a 5-4-1 formation. That change removed pace from the counterattack and left Harry Kane isolated while Argentina recycled possession around England’s low block.
Across the 19 minutes between Ezri Konsa entering and Lautaro Martínez scoring the winner, England attempted 11 passes and completed four. Two came from the restart after the hydration break, one was Jude Bellingham’s kick-off after the equaliser, and the other was Harry Kane’s pass to Jude Bellingham in stoppage time.
Defensive Numbers Offer No Relief
England made their final successful tackle in the 63rd minute and conceded only one free-kick between Anthony Gordon’s goal and the 97th minute. They neither won the ball cleanly nor interrupted Argentina’s rhythm through tactical fouls.
Thomas Tuchel introduced 201cm defender Dan Burn to strengthen the aerial defence, yet 174cm Lautaro Martínez headed the winner. Dan Burn’s touches came in the attacking third after England had fallen behind.
