Tuchel’s tweaks give England something to Cro about
Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stops a penalty then ordered to be retaken during the 2026 World Cup. (AFP pic)
PETALING JAYA: Tuchel’s tweaks were the difference for England
This was a match England could have drawn or even lost under Gareth Southgate.
The former England boss did a great job in repairing the damage and morale of the squad after the Sam Allardyce debacle. But he missed the big prizes.
As Gary Neville famously said: “Southgate had a Ferrari but drove it like a Dacia Duster.” (A small, budget-friendly Romanian SUV.)
Never more so than parking it after taking a two-minute lead against Italy at home in the 2021 Euro final.
The FA wanted someone “who could decide big games”, and Tuchel has done that. And he showed by sorting out his defence and bringing on Saka for Madueke, Rashford for Gordon and Rodgers for Bellingham, he can make the bold moves.
Higher marks for Tuchel’s “favourite” ref?
England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026. (EPA Images pic)
Tuchel’s heart might have sunk when he saw who the referee was for the game against Croatia – none other than Frenchman Clement Turpin.
Highly respected as one of UEFA’s best, Tuchel had a different opinion of him back in 2023. Turpin sent Tuchel off during Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Tuchel, then in charge of the German side, cut an animated figure on the bench and was shown two yellow cards. In turn, Tuchel rated Turpin a “Grade E” official and gave him a “one out of 10” marking.
Given what happened with certain key decisions today, we can safely assume that Turpin’s stock would have risen.
Clement Turpin gestures during England and Croatia. (AFP pic)
Bantamweights who punch like heavyweights
This expanded tournament has put the focus on the minnows. Countries as low in the FIFA rankings as New Zealand at 85th can play.
And those with populations as low as Cape Verde (520,000) can, too. And none have been disgraced.
But we are in danger of overlooking Croatia, which is the sixth smallest nation at the tournament.
Ranked a lofty 11th, we tend to treat them as one of the Big Boys after being third and second in successive World Cups.
But they are miniscule, their 3.9million population would fit comfortably into the Klang Valley. They don’t just punch above their weight; they are bantamweights that punch like heavyweights.
Livakovic is once again out of this world
Dominik Livakovic didn’t take long to reaffirm his status as a World Cup hero. The Croatian keeper, one of the stars of 2022, kept his country in the game against England.
Four years ago, along with Josko Gvardiol, he was one of the main reasons Croatia reached the semi-finals for a second World Cup running.
Noni Madueke fouled by Croatia’s Luka Modric leading to a penalty kick. (AFP pic)
Diving, punching, but, above all, saving penalties to help his country through. He was at it again against England, saving from Harry Kane, albeit with the help of being too quick off his line.
Kane’s stutter no doubt caused him to jump the gun. The 31-year-old made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming only the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.
It was in the Round of 16 match against Japan. He really is the man for the big occasion.
Jude Bellingham celebrates with Harry Kane after scoring the third goal. (EPA Images pic)
Why doesn’t a big club come in for Croatian keeper?
Currently between the posts at Fenerbahce in Turkey, his ambitious, free-spending club would no doubt say they are among the big boys.
But the real reason that Livakovic is not in a Big Five European league is that he’s not so good with his feet.
So, a great and courageous keeper is destined to meet the fate of David de Gea and Joe Hart by being denied a place at the top echelons of football because of a perceived supplementary weakness.
Never mind that he can save almost everything that is thrown at him in his main job. But isn’t the World Cup the pinnacle? And doesn’t Croatia’s success show where a keeper’s priority lies?
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