Thomas Tuchel's post-match analysis of England's elimination cut to the heart of a recurring problem: a shortage of technically gifted midfielders who can keep the ball under pressure.
He highlighted Argentina's culture of ball possession, rooted in youth development, as a key factor in their ability to stage late comebacks.
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England's statistics told a stark story: after taking the lead, they managed only 12% possession and attempted just 39 passes, with 12 from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and only five in Argentina's half.
This pattern of surrendering leads has been evident since the 2002 World Cup, when England scored early against Brazil then tried to defend and failed.
The FA's 'England DNA philosophy', launched in 2014, aimed to produce players who can 'intelligently dominate possession', but progress has been slow.
Dan Ashworth, the FA's chief football officer, is tasked with building systems to help England play without fear in crucial moments.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez noted that England went 'backwards and backwards' instead of continuing to attack after taking the lead.
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Despite the resources of Premier League academies, England has struggled to produce midfielders who can control games at the highest level.
Signs of Change
However, there are encouraging signs. Elliot Anderson has become a first-choice midfielder, and Manchester City's £116m summer signing represents a new generation.
Kobbie Mainoo's skill set was key to Manchester United's revival, while Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed in the final month of the Premier League season.
Lewis-Skelly, 19, excelled as an all-action midfielder for Arsenal, showing the 'natural self-confidence to always want the ball' that Tuchel described.
Players like Anderson, Scott, Angel Gomes, and Adam Wharton have the technical ability and composure on the ball that England has lacked.
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As Ashworth and the FA continue their soul-searching, the answers to England's midfield woes may already be emerging from the academy system.
