On July 16th, in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, England was reversed and defeated 1-2 by Argentina. After the match, several media personalities shared their views.

Media personality Li Pingkang:Honestly, Cape Verde didn't play as defensively as England did when facing Spain and Argentina.

Former women's national team player Wang Fei:The coach's decisions determine the course of the game. If during the match, you're worried whether a 1-0 lead can be held until the end and rely only on defense to see out the rest of the game, you're destined not to go far. Completely ceding possession means danger is looming.

Coach Jia Shunhao:I talked about two weaknesses of Argentina on the podcast: the absence of Di María, and the second balls between the midfield and the backline. When Kane drops back, someone has to cover the backline, and others go for the second balls. As soon as Mac Allister and Enzo push up a bit, they can face the center backs directly, not to mention both center backs already have yellow cards. I also mentioned that I don't think Simeone Jr. is a good option under normal circumstances, because what's needed isn't verticality, but small-space skills and off-ball movement. ​​​

Commentator Huang Jianxiang:Argentina played extremely well in this game. The comment I made about Tuchel being a "Mr. Nanguo" No.1 during England's match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo doesn't need to be retracted for now. "Mr. Nanguo" No.2 went home even earlier. They speak the same mother tongue. Cape Verde secured the honor of third place ahead of schedule in this FIFA World Cup.

Reporter Gu Ying:Argentina's experience in competing in the US, Canada and Mexico proves that when the team has a veteran like Messi, there's no need to overthink it. Everyone just needs to take him as the core and play alongside him. This in itself is a wise choice, a reasonable tactic, and a harmonious situation.

Commentator Su Dong:Argentina started the game with physicality and intensity, using a "street football" style to disrupt England's fast-start approach. There were no shots from either side in the first 30 minutes, which is a FIFA World Cup record since records began in 1966. Gordon scored in the 55th minute, putting England in control. But their opponents are a championship team with Messi. Messi may not be fast, but he can make the ball and his teammates move faster. It was his ability to draw two England defenders that left Enzo unmarked. That world-class strike was like a silver needle popping a balloon, causing England to throw away a good position. Tuchel probably wanted to replicate the last 30 minutes against Mexico, but Argentina instead mirrored their late-game performance against Egypt. If Rice was substituted due to physical issues, substituting Gordon was a mistake. It was obvious that Spence was already exhausted, and O'Riely could have come on as a direct replacement. The final flaw still lay in the left-sided defense.

Commentator He Wei:Thomas Tuchel wanted to replicate the "stone wall defense" strategy he used after taking the lead in the Azteca match, but they were no longer facing Mexico. Retreating to deep defense too early after taking the lead handed the initiative over, which ultimately led to their downfall. A coach's decisions are made in the moment; one thought can lead to success, another to failure. Regardless of whether it seems right or wrong in hindsight, once a decision is made, you are swept up in a huge current that will take you to a place you never imagined when making the call.

Commentator Zhan Jun:The trending search terms say it all............England lost because they were too conservative after taking the lead. The defense dropped too deep, and without counter-attack threats in the final third to pin Argentina back, their opponents were able to launch a relentless comeback. You can't mess with Argentina when they're trailing! Messi is unstoppable in adversity!! The King of Football once again orchestrated the team's reversal, and he always exceeds everyone's expectations. In Sunday's final, can Argentina march forward to become the first team to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title since 1962?

Media personality Sun Lei:Tuchel and Deschamps were like two opposite sides of the same coin in this match. Substituting Gordon, the player most capable of creating surprises in attack, in the 72nd minute and switching to a formation without wingers to defend desperately rendered Kane completely ineffective. Then in the 82nd minute, he brought on Bourne and O'Riely, with O'Riely playing as left midfielder, nominally partnering Spence to double-mark Messi, but effectively settling into a 5-4-1 formation to absorb pressure, which further reduced Bellingham's role as the hub of transition from defense to attack. By the time he brought on Rashford and Tony in the 96th minute after falling behind, the team's formation and responsibilities were completely disorganized, and even launching an attack became difficult. On the other hand, Argentina started with the tenacious Simeone Jr. and switched to a 4-1-4-1 formation. When trailing and with sufficient possession in the final third, they switched back to a 4-4-2 diamond midfield, and replaced Lisandro Martínez with Otamendi to enhance aerial ability and physicality for set pieces. The one-two combination of De Paul and Messi on the right flank was highly effective, with Nicolás González, a good goalscorer, positioned on the far side. In the final moments, when England posed almost no counter-attack threat, they replaced Tagliafico with Lautaro, who can finish in the penalty area. The difference in their substitutions was immediately clear.

Media personality Zhou Chao:Football is about winning and losing. England has never been able to live up to its true potential. Argentina won this game fairly; the two goals in the seven-minute turnaround were both beautiful. But seriously, I can accept Fernández's long-range shot, but Lautaro, who is 1.74 meters tall, scoring a header in front of goal—England's center backs need to reflect on that.

Media personality Miao Yuan:England's lineup was arguably superior to Argentina's, yet they produced a game no one expected—36% possession, 5 shots, 2 on target, and relying on the goalkeeper's 3 saves to stay in the game. On the bench, players like Saka, Eze, Madueke, Watkins, Rashford, and Tony, all capable of leading counter-attacks, combined to play less than 20 minutes…

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