And so the years of hurt stretch ever longer. Good luck to the little genius that is Lionel Messi and Argentina in the World Cup final. And good luck to Thomas Tuchel trying to explain and justify his defensive, expensive substitutes that cost England dear. He sent on three defenders, Nico O’Reilly, Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa, trying to cling to the lead given to England by Anthony Gordon. The goalscorer made way, removing an outlet down the left, a tireless worker who was troubling Argentina with his pace and stealthy movement.
It was such a gamble. Yes, Reece James was tiring. But Declan Rice and Gordon? Yes, it had worked against Mexico and Norway. But this was Argentina. Tuchel invited them on. England sat deep and attempted to withstand the inevitable siege, the waves of blue-shirted passion players flooding towards them, driven on by their supporters. These are the world champions. This was against Messi, who ranks up with Diego Maradona and Pele as the greatest of all time. Messi wasn’t going to fade quietly into the Georgian night. Messi was going to attack more, to drag his team, his country, back into the game. He did. That’s what the greats do. They don’t give up.
