England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his tactical decisions after the Three Lions’ World Cup dream ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina.
England looked on course to reach their first FIFA World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead early in the second half in Atlanta.
However, the defending champions fought back through Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to book their place in the final, leaving England to rue a missed opportunity.
Reflecting on the defeat, Tuchel admitted his side became too cautious after taking the lead.
“We’re disappointed. We were so close but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances,” he told the BBC.
“We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots.
“We were close but couldn’t keep the level up after we scored.”
The German coach came under fire for replacing goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute, a move many fans blamed for inviting sustained Argentine pressure.
But Tuchel insisted the decision was made to shore up a defence that was already under siege.
“We conceded a chance straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open,” he explained.
“Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances, so we tried to help.”
Asked whether he regretted his tactical approach, Tuchel rejected suggestions that his substitutions cost England the match.
“As soon as you lose, you get criticised. It’s just what it is,” he said.
“No one knows what would have happened if we made different decisions.
“So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I’m responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism.”
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager also dismissed suggestions that England should have pushed harder for a second goal after taking the lead.
“Of course we wanted to go for the second goal, but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help.
“We couldn’t win any balls, we couldn’t keep the ball, so I think it was not a structural problem. We changed nothing, but the match changed completely.”
Despite the painful defeat, Tuchel confirmed he has no intention of stepping down.
The German, who signed a contract extension until the 2028 European Championship, said he remains committed to leading England into the tournament they will co-host.
“We keep on going for contract until the home Euros, and I’m looking forward to that,” he said.
“Even like now, it’s difficult to look that far ahead.”
