# England's Midfield Struggles in World Cup

- Topic: football
- Source: The Guardian
- Published: 2026-07-19
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/19/world-cup-2026-spain-v-argentina-final-buildup-england-win-10-goal-thriller-live
- Language: en
- Image: https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0d5329a7f9f7fb29e078df7f0d2f4868167fe291/508_0_5000_4000/master/5000.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=f55b166e2000afabbef689c5bcb9857d

England's World Cup campaign was marked by midfield struggles, which ultimately cost them a chance against Spain. The team lacked balance, control, and craft, making it difficult to break down tight defenses. A more technical and cerebral midfielder could have made a difference.

## Key takeaways

- England struggled to control midfield during the World Cup.
- The team lacked balance and craft in their midfield play.
- A more technical midfielder could have helped England's chances.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. Read the original at https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/19/world-cup-2026-spain-v-argentina-final-buildup-england-win-10-goal-thriller-live