The manner of England's World Cup exit was meek, and Thomas Tuchel must now find a way to fix those problems as focus will soon turn to qualifying for Euro 2028.

The last thing the Football Association was expecting when it landed Thomas Tuchel as head coach was a meek exit from an international tournament. But by taking the lead and then inviting on a hungry Argentina that is exactly what they got. A tactical misstep which led to England snatching a 2-1 defeat from the jaws of victory in the final minutes, and miss out on a place in the World Cup final. Tuchel should have been able to look ahead to the next international cycle with optimism. But merely reaching a World Cup semi-final does not feel like something worth celebrating right now. Up next, a meeting with Spain at Wembley on 26 September in the Nations League. It could, maybe should, have been an instant replay of Sunday's World Cup final. Then next year comes the qualifying programme for Euro 2028, which the Three Lions will take part in despite being co-hosts. Tuchel, his England contract already extended, must now find a way to rebuild his squad and his ethos.