Thomas Tuchel is in the eye of the storm. England’s elimination at the hands of Argentina (1-2) in the World Cup semifinals has unleashed a wave of criticism in English football. Former internationals, analysts, and media all agree in pointing to the German coach’s ultra-defensive approach after the 1-0 as the culprit.
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The sequence of the match is devastating. Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but instead of maintaining the pressure or seeking a second goal, the ‘Three Lions’ took several steps back. From that moment until Lautaro Martínez’s decisive goal in the 92nd minute, England had barely 12% possession of the ball, while Argentina monopolized the game with an overwhelming 88%, according to Opta data. Lionel Scaloni’s team trapped the English in their area, accumulated chances, and ended up coming back with goals from Enzo Fernández (85′) and Lautaro Martínez (90+2).
Argentina monopolized the game with an overwhelming 88%, according to Opta data
The image of England taking refuge in their own area outraged much of the country. Tuchel reinforced the defense until finishing the match with six defenders on the pitch (four center-backs and two full-backs) and substituted the scorer Gordon for Ezri Konsa to form a line of five. A decision that many consider the turning point of the match.
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The historic striker Gary Lineker was one of the most forceful. “It seemed completely unfathomable to me. If your tactic is to leave everyone sitting, you are doing it against the best player in the world,” he said on the program The Rest is Football, referring to Leo Messi.
“How come we can’t go and mark Messi?”
Gary Neville
Former England international
In the same vein spoke former defender Gary Neville, who believes the problem started even before the coach’s substitutions. “The biggest problem for me was even before (Tuchel) started making changes. We had already started to entrench ourselves in the area before that. How come we can’t go and mark Messi?” he lamented on the podcast The Overlap Stick.
Ian Wright also questioned the German coach’s strategy. The former striker recalled that filling the area with defenders was precisely the scenario the Argentine captain wanted. “That’s what Messi wants. Messi wants to dribble between players, put the ball into the area, and cause chaos,” he said.
If you are playing your best game and only have the ball seven times in their area, are you insulting our intelligence?”
Ian Wright
Former British player
But Wright went a step further in response to Tuchel’s later statements, who said he did not regret any of his decisions. “How many times did we touch the ball in the Argentine area? Seven. If you are playing your best game and only have the ball seven times in their area, you are not demanding much from your team. So why does he say that then? Is he insulting our intelligence?” he asked.
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The criticism was not limited to the former glories of the national team. Much of the English press opened their editions questioning the future of the German coach and wondering if he can continue leading the national team after a defeat that many consider a direct consequence of his tactical decisions.
I regret nothing. The team gave everything and we were very, very close”
Thomas Tuchel
England coach
However, Tuchel rejected any self-criticism about the approach. “I regret nothing. The team gave everything and we were very, very close. I think we deserved to be leading one to zero. We played one of our best games, maybe the best given the circumstances,” he said after the match.
The coach did acknowledge that England lost control after taking the lead. “We became too passive after scoring; we conceded many chances and could not reverse possession,” he admitted. He also justified the change to a five-defender system: “We were just trying to help the players. We decided to switch to a back five because the lines were too far apart. They won all the headers and kept delivering crosses.”
No one knows what would have happened if we had made different decisions. I am responsible for it and accept the criticism”
Thomas Tuchel
England coach
Despite this, he accepted that criticism is inevitable. “Of course, the responsibility is the coach’s. If things don’t go well, it’s easy to say it was a mistake,” he said before adding with resignation: “As soon as you lose, you get criticized. That’s how it is. No one knows what would have happened if we had made different decisions. I am responsible for it and accept the criticism.”
This is not the first time such a conservative bet has cost the German coach. In the 2024 Champions League semifinals, when he was managing Bayern Munich, he also chose to protect a minimal lead at the Santiago Bernabéu by withdrawing his main offensive references. Then, as now, the retreat ended in a comeback by the opponent. That night it was Real Madrid with a brace from Joselu; this time it was Argentina who punished an approach that many in England consider unforgivable.
