# Gordon: England must stop copying Spain's style

> Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon says England's best chance at winning tournaments is to play to their own strengths, not replicate Spanish possession football.
- Title: Gordon: England must stop copying Spain's style · BBC Sport
- Summary: Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon says England's best chance at winning tournaments is to play to their own strengths, not replicate Spanish possession…
- Keywords: anthony gordon, england football, thomas tuchel, spain, world cup 2026, barcelona, tactical approach, possession football, argentina semi-final, sports, Gordon, England
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c90kly6kelk1o
- Published: 2026-09-24T05:05:26.582+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anthony gordon, england football, thomas tuchel, spain, world cup 2026, barcelona, tactical approach, possession football, argentina semi-final, sports
## Gordon backs England's World Cup bronze
England reached their best World Cup finish since 1966 after losing to Argentina in the semi-final 2-1, then beating France 6-4 for bronze.
## Tuchel's back five backfired against Argentina
Coach Thomas Tuchel switched to a defensive back five after Gordon scored, inviting pressure that led to Argentina's comeback and stoppage-time winner.
## Gordon surprised by his substitution
The winger was taken off 17 minutes after scoring, saying he felt in an untouchable mode of confidence and was surprised by the decision.

> It makes me feel on top of the world, especially in that moment on that stage. I felt really good.
## Gordon moved to Barcelona this summer
The winger joined Barcelona from Newcastle for 69.3 million pounds, giving him firsthand experience of Spanish football and its different approach.
## Spain's style isn't in English DNA
Gordon says England can't be taught to play like Spain because their possession-based approach is built into Spanish players' DNA, not something that can be learned.

> It's not in the English DNA. I'm not sure it's something that can be taught.
## England has different strengths than Spain
Gordon argues that England's players have qualities Spain lacks, so trying to make English players play like Spanish ones wastes their natural advantages.

> We have just as good players, but they have different qualities, so why are you trying to make those players the same as the Spanish players?
## Gordon defends Tuchel's decision-making
Gordon says players should take responsibility for not controlling the Argentina game, rather than blaming the manager for going defensive.

> We shouldn't try and blame one man who's obviously trying his best and trying to win the cup for us all.
## England faces Spain at Wembley Saturday
England will test their approach against world champions Spain in their first match since the World Cup, looking to find a response without copying their opponents.
## Scar from defeat could drive future success
Gordon believes the pain of losing to Argentina might push England to take a different approach in future tournaments and finally win a major title.

> The scar doesn't have to be a negative one because it might lead us to victory in the next tournaments.
## Key takeaway

England should lean into what makes them different from Spain rather than trying to copy their possession-based approach.