Thomas Tuchel has 'no regrets' about tactical switch during 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina as astonishing stat emerges

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Thomas Tuchel insisted he had "no regrets" over his tactical decisions after England's hopes of reaching a first FIFA World Cup final since 1966 were ended by a devastating late comeback from Argentina in Atlanta.

Tuchel: I am responsible for the decisions and I take the criticism

Video credit: SNTV

Tuchel defended his substitutions that failed to prevent his side retreating into submission during their semi-final in Atlanta.

England looked to be on course for the final after 60 years of hurt when Anthony Gordon fired the Three Lions ahead early in the second half.

Enzo Fernandez equalised with five minutes remaining, however, before Lautaro Martinez struck in stoppage time to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory - and send Argentina into Sunday's showpiece against Spain in New Jersey

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Yet one remarkable statistic casts fresh doubt over Tuchel's insistence that he would not have changed his approach.

Between Gordon's opener and Martinez's winner, England had just 12% possession, according to Opta, illustrating the extent to which Argentina seized complete control of the contest after falling behind.

The figure is likely to intensify scrutiny of Tuchel's decision to protect the lead rather than chase a second goal.

Despite the collapse, the England manager remained adamant he had made the right calls.

"No, at the moment, no regrets," Tuchel told the BBC.

"The team gave everything, and we were very, very close. I think we deserved to be 1-0 up. We played one of our better matches, maybe the best match in the circumstances. The team was top, we couldn't get it over the line. So, no regrets."

Tuchel attempted to protect England's lead by introducing defensive reinforcements, and switching to a back five after Gordon's opener, but the changes failed to stem Argentina's momentum, as the defending world champions turned this semi-final around with two late goals.

Ezri Konsa replaced Gordon on 72 minutes, allowing Reece James and Djed Spence to be converted into wing-backs.

Then, Dan Burn was introduced in place of James and Nico O'Reilly replaced Declan Rice in another double alteration 10 minutes later as England sank further and further back into their shell.

Tuchel argued the problems began before any tactical changes were made, saying it was a response to Argentina's growing aerial threat rather than the catalyst for England's downfall, and insisting his side simply lost control after taking the lead.

"We are disappointed," the German added. "We were so close, but we got too passive after we scored, and conceded a lot of chances. We could not turn the ball possession around, and just conceded so many crosses and chances and shots.

"We decided to go to a back five, because the gaps were far too open. They won every header. They kept crossing and crossing.

"So we went to a back five to close the gaps inside, and be stronger in the air, because straight after our goal, with no substitutions, we just conceded way too many crosses and chances.

"We tried to help, but, of course, the responsibility is on the coach. If it doesn't go well, it's easy to say that it was wrong."

Lionel Messi provided two assists as Argentina came from behind to win

Image credit: Getty Images

Asked why England did not push for a second goal, Tuchel maintained his side simply could not get hold of the ball.

"Yeah, but it doesn't help if you don't have the ball," the England boss contested.

"Of course, we wanted to go for the second goal, but I didn't have the feeling that an offensive substitution would help. We stayed in our 4-4-2, but became passive, more and more passive.

"We couldn't win any balls, couldn't keep the ball. So I think it was not a structural problem. We changed nothing after the goal, but the match changed completely."

Fernandez eventually made Argentina's pressure count before Martinez completed the turnaround, condemning England to another painful semi-final exit, and extending their wait for a FIFA World Cup final appearance to more than six decades.

Tuchel, who refused to answer whether the tournament had showcased his vision for England, accepted that his decisions would inevitably be questioned, but stressed the responsibility rested with him.

"Well, you can discuss this with a million coaches. I have to make a decision on the pitch. That's how I analysed the match and I did take the responsibility," he said.

England second-half struggles 'a similar story' to previous tournaments - Kane

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Kane reveals message before Argentina fightback

Meanwhile, captain Harry Kane echoed his manager's disappointment after watching England's World Cup dream come to an end, admitting he and his team-mates were unable to cope with Argentina's relentless pressure after taking the lead.

"I'm gutted for the boys, I'm gutted for everyone - the team, the staff, the fans," Kane told the BBC.

"We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.

"The boys are always ready for any moment in the game. When we went ahead, the messaging was to 'go again, and get another goal'."

Harry Kane spoke of his pride in his team-mates after defeat

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Kane felt England controlled long periods of the contest through their pressing before Argentina gradually seized the initiative.

"We struggled to get pressure on the ball," Kane admitted. "I thought, especially in the first half and the start of the second half, we pressed them well. We put them under loads of pressure, especially high up the pitch, which then allowed us to win balls and control the game a little bit better."

But after Gordon's breakthrough, the momentum shifted decisively.

"After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward, or us just not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave," he said.

Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon show despair at full-time

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"We were trying to hold on, the lads were putting blocks in, but in the end it wasn't enough.

"Then once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something, but we couldn't quite get the momentum back in the game."

Despite the heartbreak, Kane believes England have once again shown they are capable of competing with the world's best, even if they remain one step short of ending their long wait for major tournament glory.

"We had a lot of good moments in this tournament," the Bayern Munich striker added. "Another semi-final... we talked about knocking on the door. We're close, we just need to find that missing piece in the final stage of the tournament.

"These tournaments take it out of you with so much effort, pressure and mentality. We've shown a lot of that throughout the whole six or seven weeks we've been together.

"But we're just missing that final piece."

Meanwhile, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said they felt England "going backwards and backwards".

He told the BBC: "We felt it. We felt them going backwards and backwards rather than going forward. Sometimes, when you are winning, you have to go forward anyway. You can't change the game plan. I think they did it, and they put extra defenders."

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