Has Saka shown Tuchel he's too good to leave out?

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick in England’s 6-4 win over France in the World Cup third-place play-off has renewed scrutiny of Thomas Tuchel’s choice not to use him in the semi-final defeat by Argentina. The match in Miami on Saturday came three days after Saka stayed on the bench in Atlanta as England lost 2-1, having led until late in the game.

Against France, Saka scored twice before half-time as England built a 4-0 lead, then added a penalty after France threatened a comeback. BBC Sport said the performance made him the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick, after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane, and helped England secure their best finish at the tournament since winning it in 1966.

The debate centres on Tuchel’s semi-final selection. He started Morgan Rogers on the right, with Rogers setting up Anthony Gordon’s opener, before Argentina equalised through Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute and won in stoppage time through Lautaro Martinez from Lionel Messi’s cross. Tuchel said Saka remained a “key player” but that England had been cautious because the winger arrived at the tournament managing an Achilles issue after an interrupted Arsenal season.

BBC Sport reported that Saka started only three of England’s eight matches and ended the tournament with three goals and three assists in 357 minutes. Saka acknowledged he would have liked more playing time but said he preferred to respond on the pitch. The episode matters because it frames one of England’s major selection questions as Tuchel looks beyond the World Cup toward Euro 2028.