Bukayo Saka was the star of the show for England as they claimed their best World Cup finish since 1966.
A 6-4 win against France on Saturday left a sense of frustration among the Three Lions’ loyal fanbase. It was a sign of what could have been, rather than what was.
With the pressure off and a mere bronze medal on the line, two of Arsenal’s finest stepped up to claim third place at the tournament.
Declan Rice captained England and scored the opener, before a Saka hat-trick and goals from Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham did enough to quell a second-half comeback from France.
But while Thomas Tuchel’s No.7 ran the show, others were rightfully asking the question: why did Saka not feature at all against Argentina?
Saka dropped for semi-final
The 24-year-old was an unused substitute for England’s 2-1 loss to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
After Anthony Gordon’s goal put the Three Lions ahead, they made the mistake of sitting back and allowing the reigning champions onto them.
With 10 minutes to go, England were punished. A few minutes later, the tie had turned on its head, and Tuchel’s men were heading home.
Morgan Rogers – before news of his £117m move to Chelsea broke – started on the left instead of Saka, with most assuming he was still struggling with an Achilles injury that had burdened much of his 2025-26 campaign.
That was the excuse delivered by Tuchel, despite the Arsenal man playing 90 minutes in Miami against France.
Speaking after the game, he said: “He was excellent. Bukayo is a key player for me.
“He was ready to go in the World Cup. I felt still the responsibility as a coach, and with the history given where he came from to take it slow with Bukayo.
“He started quite some matches; it was a tough decision for me to leave him out of the semi-final. I had a feeling after the Norway match that Morgan Rogers had something special to give to us with his physicality and his body in the match against Argentina.
“We had him warm up several times against Argentina; we were ready to change but the game became so crazy that in the end we opted for a different option.
“But nothing has changed during this World Cup for me. Bukayo is a fantastic team-mate, a fantastic football player, a key player for us. That will not change. He showed it again today. I’m happy for him and happy for us. He’s excellent.”
Timing never right for Saka
Saka’s performance proved he was capable of delivering something for England in the last few days, which makes Tuchel’s decision not to even introduce him from the bench against Argentina even more baffling.
He started just twice across the World Cup, against Panama in the group stages, and then against Mexico in the last-16, and although everyone was aware that the winger needed managing throughout, with a spot in the final for the first time in 60 years on the line, many would argue it would have been worth the risk.
Saka admitted that he was frustrated over his lack of minutes, but refused to let it overshadow a positive tournament for the nation overall.
He said: “Of course, I would love to have played more.
“But of course, it’s not the time to talk about that now. I try to do my talking on the pitch. It’s done now. Move on.”
Saka finished the World Cup with three goals and three assists from just 357 minutes, averaging a goal involvement every 59.5 minutes.
It does not mean he would have created anything against Argentina; it would have been a risk, especially as Rogers created Gordon’s goal in Atlanta, but after his performance against France, scrutiny would always arrive.
Football is decided on fine margins, and Saka is and remains a key player for his country.
The feeling is one of overall disappointment at the fact he could have been the difference-maker. Even a half-fit Saka is one who can cause problems for any defence in the world.