Read for 2 minutes16 July 2026 06:30 AM IST
England coach Thomas Tuchel’s tactics against Argentina Anthony Gordon’s opener in the 55th minute drew criticism as the Three Lions went into a defensive shell. From then on, England sat back and looked for counters as Argentina relentlessly pushed forward and eventually Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martínez scored in the 85th and 90+5 minutes, both goals from Lionel Messi, to give England a 1–2 win.
“We are disappointed. We were very close but after the goal we were very passive. We accepted too many crosses and chances and shots. We were close but after we scored we couldn’t raise the level. We decided to go back five because the gap was too big and the air was strong. Straight after the goal, without any changes, we tried to play too far, we tried to play too far. Coach,” Tuchel said after the match, according to the Guardian, explaining his tactics.
“Obviously we wanted to go for the second goal, but it doesn’t help if you don’t have the ball. We were too passive, we couldn’t keep the ball. I don’t think it was a structural problem. The game changed completely and I understand that these talks are out there, there are a million coaches who know better. I have to make a decision. We weren’t close, we didn’t stop very much. 1-0 up – we played a good game. [up to that point]Probably our best match,” he added.
From the 55th minute – when Gordon scored – until the 92nd minute, England managed just 12% possession, which painted a dire picture for the Three Lions, and Tuchel was completely under fire from critics for his defensive approach.
Tuchel and England now face France in the third-place play-off on Saturday, while Messi and Argentina have a fateful date against Lamine Yamal’s Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final.