England manager Thomas Tuchel has explained the reasons behind his side’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the Three Lions struggled to cope after taking the lead.
England looked to be in control when they went ahead in the 55th minute, but Argentina responded strongly, scoring twice to book their place in the final.
Following the defeat, Tuchel came under intense criticism from fans and pundits, with many questioning his tactical approach and accusing his team of becoming overly defensive after opening the scoring.
However, the German coach rejected the suggestion that the setback was solely down to tactics. According to him, England gradually lost control of the contest as Argentina dominated possession and dictated the tempo.
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Tuchel admitted his players became passive after scoring and failed to win key physical battles across the pitch. He noted that England were unable to stop Argentina’s midfield runners, while the South Americans consistently delivered dangerous balls into the penalty area.
He also pointed out that his side dropped deeper as the match progressed, making it increasingly difficult to regain possession or relieve the pressure.
The England boss further argued that controlling matches through sustained possession is not a traditional strength of English football. He suggested that teams such as Argentina, Spain and Brazil have a stronger football culture built around keeping the ball and managing games, allowing them to seize momentum when opportunities arise.
Argentina’s comeback victory secured their place in the 2026 World Cup final, while England must now shift their focus to the third-place playoff after another painful semi-final exit.
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