World Cup
Even England fans roar against Tuchel as benching sparks fury
Even before kickoff of the World Cup third‑place playoff between France and England, Three Lions supporters were already shouting against coach Thomas Tuchel for leaving Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on the bench, while England surged to a 1‑0 lead within two minutes of the whistle.
Thomas Tuchel has been under heavy fire since England’s elimination by Argentina. The German coach’s decisions have drawn criticism from supporters and pundits alike.
He also altered his lineup in the semifinal, opting for a tactical reshuffle that further fueled debate over his approach. The changes were seen as a gamble that did not settle the doubts about his strategy.
Before the bronze final, Tuchel described the match as a game that “none of my players and none of the French players want to play”. His comments underscored the tension surrounding the French side as well as his own squad.
England survives French comeback to claim bronze in World Cup final
Fans voiced their disbelief on X, noting that both Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remain in contention for the World Cup Golden Boot with six goals each. Several users responded with entertaining memes about the decision. In the stadium, many supporters were already booing Tuchel when his picture appeared on the big screen before kickoff. The audible disapproval highlighted the growing frustration among the Three Lions faithful. Despite the benchings, England surged to a 1–0 lead just two minutes after the whistle, showing a stark contrast between the crowd’s anger and the team’s immediate performance. The early goal suggested that the tactical choices had not hampered the side’s attacking intent. The juxtaposition of vocal dissent and swift scoring reveals a divide between supporter sentiment and on‑field execution, leaving questions about Tuchel’s future decisions. The reaction may influence how Tuchel manages his squad for the remainder of the tournament.