Spain’s onslaught could deepen Tuchel’s England woes on Saturday

Come Saturday, it will be 73 days since the pain and shame of Atlanta, when England, from a winning position in a World Cup semi‑final, chose to sit on their lead and watch the drama unravel. The memory still haunts the nation as fans recall the slow‑motion crash‑test‑dummy scene that followed.

Key moments that still sting

Enzo Fernández’s jubilant celebration evoked Andy Möller’s ghost from Euro 96, while Lautaro Martínez, unmarked, nodded home the decisive goal. Englishmen across the globe slumped; even Croydon BoxPark fell deathly silent.

Allowing Lionel Messi the freedom of Georgia on the inside‑right channel proved a critical oversight, a tactical error that still fuels debate.

“I would love to have a clump of the hallowed turf on display in my living‑room for daily worship,” wrote Nigel Green, adding that a piece not covered in spit and nasal blowings was “highly unlikely”, so he would “respectfully give it a miss”.

Pat Condreay wondered aloud, “I wonder if Harry Kane’s desire to play in the NFL is because someone told him that as a every time an opposing player touched him it would be a penalty?”

Will Spain’s next encounter bring more pain for Tuchel’s tired England? The question hangs over the upcoming Saturday fixture, reminding everyone how quickly triumph can turn to torment.