Key Takeaways:
- England were defeated 2-1 by Argentina in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, despite holding a second-half lead
- Thomas Tuchel attributed the late collapse to player mentality and passivity after Anthony Gordon’s opening goal
- England are set to meet France in the third-place play-off on Saturday
England Let Lead Slip Against Argentina
England’s hopes of booking a place in the World Cup final were dashed on Wednesday, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Argentina following a costly late-game downturn. Despite edging in front courtesy of Anthony Gordon, England were undone in the closing minutes, sparking immediate criticism of manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactical approach.
🚨🗣️ Thomas Tuchel about going to a back 5:
"It was not a problem of structure. The match just changed completely. But I can understand the discussion. There are millions of coaches who know it better…….."
"I can go and discuss this with the one million coaches, but I have… pic.twitter.com/dYm3kjm14I
— THE SCORELINE (@THE_SCORELINE_X) July 15, 2026
Tuchel Addresses Criticism and Highlights On-Field Inertia
Following the match, Tuchel responded to the backlash by shifting the focus to the squad’s inability to maintain control. As quoted by the Daily Mail, he noted, “I think ball possession plays a crucial role.” The England manager went on to draw a distinction between his team’s style of play and that of nations with strong possession-based traditions, such as Spain, Argentina, and Brazil, remarking, “It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish, Argentinian or Brazilian DNA. To take the ball and control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem.”
After Gordon struck in the 55th minute, England’s possession rate plummeted to just 21%. Between the 66th and 86th minutes, the side managed only two completed passes – a brief exchange between goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and defender John Stones. Tuchel admitted, “Right after our goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession and chances, and it drops dramatically. We got too passive within our structure.”
Reflecting on England’s defensive posture, he added, “I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five, but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four.”
Tuchel Keen to Continue as England Manager
Despite growing pressure, Tuchel has expressed a strong desire to retain his position, believing the team still has untapped potential. He stated, “There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that. I have loved it. I loved every day.”
Tuchel also commented on a perceived gap between the team’s training performances and matchday displays, saying, “I said after the Norway game that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and then within the games. I think we can impose ourselves more on the ball.”
Third-Place Clash Set for Saturday
England will have an opportunity to bounce back when they face France in the third-place play-off on Saturday, 18th July.
