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France knocked out England from Qatar 2022 in a 2-1 result despite being outplayed by the Three Lions. Gareth Southgate was reluctant in changing his personnel, an inability that ultimately cost them.
Aurélien Tchouaméni opened the scoring with Olivier Giroud scoring Les Bleus’ second. Harry Kane equalized from the spot in the second half and could have done so again but scuffed his shot into orbit the second time of asking.
It was after going behind the second time that Southgate introduced changes to his men. Moreover, he waited until after the missed penalty to introduce joint-topscorer Marcus Rashford into the fold.
The reactionary approach should have been avoided as the Three Lions were dominating the proceedings with the French happy to knock the ball out. Rio Ferdinand blamed the tactician for his delayed introduction of attacking players and believes this hurt them in putting more pressure on France.
“We had them against the wall, hands around their throats with their toes off the floor waiting to be finished,” Ferdinand said in a short video on Twitter. “We eased them back down onto the floor, dusted down their shoulders and said: ‘Go on guys, go and redeem yourselves now’. That’s what it felt like.”
England’s World Cup journey is over…
😩🏆🏴 #FIFAWorldCup
VW5 was a struggle today 👉🏽 https://t.co/kQYq7cw7k4 pic.twitter.com/Z7EhlZNjs0
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 11, 2022
England has unfinished business
Southgate has changed the way England perceives themselves. They defied expectations with a semi-final appearance in Russia 2018. Another semi-final appearance was made in the inaugural Nations League.
They have kept up the ante with a final appearance in Euro 2020. It was observed that they have reached their zenith as they went winless in the current iteration of the Nations League.
The Three Lions defied expectations again with an unbeaten run in the group stage and a complete dismantling of Senegal in the Round of 16. They were unlucky to not get past France in the quarter-final and Ferdinant believes this cycle will be finished with silverware.
“The big issue is that our substitutions are where, I think, Gareth Southgate let us down. You want to come out of this tournament with your reputation enhanced and I think Declan Rice can do that, Jude Bellingham obviously, [Bukayo] Saka has done the same.
“Harry Maguire, again, him and John Stones were immaculate. If I am Gareth Southgate I cannot leave this story. This story hasn’t had an ending yet.
“Can we remember where we were? Can we please just take ourselves back? We were happy to get out of group stages, we were happy to get to the last 16. But me personally, if I’m Gareth, I can’t leave this right now. It’s unfinished business.”
England players will link up with their respective clubs, many of whom are keeping their match fitness with club friendlies. In the meanwhile, Southgate has to decide on his future with the Three Lions.
The English FA have been adamant in their support of Southgate, who is likely to continue until the 2024 European Championships. Silverware in Germany will solidify him as a modern great, his name taken in the same breath as the 1966 World Cup-winning coach Alf Ramsey.
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