Football news: Anthony Gordon urges England to stop trying to replicate Spain

Gordon’s goal in the semi-final capped what was an impressive tournament for the 25-year-old and briefly had England supporters dreaming of World Cup glory.

The winger started five of England’s games and also provided four assists.

He was taken off 17 minutes after putting the Three Lions ahead against Argentina and says that he was surprised to be substituted.

He says that after scoring he plays “off adrenaline” and “goes into an untouchable mode of confidence”.

“It makes me feel on top of the world, especially in that moment on that stage. I felt really good,” he said.

“But as a winger, to be honest, I come off most games. It’s normal [for wingers].

“Obviously that substitution was different but in that moment probably yeah, but in general as a winger I expect it a lot of the time.”

England had battled to a 3-2 win over Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, where they played with 10 men for over 35 minutes after Jarell Quansah’s red card.

According to Gordon, the manner of that last-16 victory was a factor in the players’ thinking when trying to get over the line against Argentina.

The winger also suggested that the team did not match the performances that they were creating in training.

If they had, Gordon says, they “would have dominated everyone”.

He defended Tuchel’s “more safe and more defensive” tactics, which sparked external criticism and in-camp disappointment.

“We shouldn’t try and blame one man who’s obviously trying his best and trying to win the cup for us all,” Gordon said.

“As players, we could have done more to take the initiative to control the [Argentina] game. I think if we do that the manager doesn’t make the decision [to use a back five].

“For me, we had the best team, we had the best players on the pitch in that semi-final, and in the last 20 minutes we didn’t play the best football.

“That’s something the manager can’t really affect from the sideline, so I think as a group everyone together should take responsibility.”