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Thomas Tuchel has defended his tactical decisions following Englands heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, insisting he has no regrets despite accepting responsibility for the result. Speaking ahead of Saturdays third-place play-off against France in Miami, the England boss acknowledged his side became too passive after taking the lead but stressed the decisions he made were intended to help the team secure a place in the final.If you need someone to blame, I take the responsibility, Tuchel told reporters.I took several decisions, trusting my instinct, my intuition, my experience and my competitiveness. I took those decisions to help the team get the result. We didnt get the result.So I take the responsibility for those decisions. I would regret it if I didnt try to help. I would regret it if we didnt react.England looked on course for their first mens World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordons opener, only for Argentina to score twice in the closing stages through Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.Tuchel admitted his side retreated too deep after taking the lead but explained the tactical switch was a response to Argentinas growing attacking threat.They had a lot of offensive changes and a lot of offensive positions, he said.We could not stop the crosses and we could not stop the runners into the box.So we decided to play a back five, to have more width in the field and be closer to the players delivering the crosses.We just became too passive, and Argentina found another gear. We played against the reigning world champions, we were 1-0 up after 85 minutes against the best player in the world, and we lost 2-1. That is painful.Tuchel also rejected suggestions that captain Harry Kane was instructed to play too deep during the closing stages.Thats what you do if you defend in a block, he said. We were not active enough.Mexico clash drained playersThe England manager believes the demanding route through the knockout rounds also played a part in his teams late collapse.He pointed to the physical toll of playing more than 40 minutes with 10 men against Mexico at altitude before overcoming Norway in the Miami heat.The players literally gave everything physically in every single match, Tuchel said.If you see this drop in the data, there must be a reason behind it because the motivation was through the roof.We feel this pain most of all, and it is our scar that we carry now, he said.It is my pain and the players pain.We will overcome it, we will use it and we will have a reaction.If we win tomorrow, it will be Englands best World Cup finish in 60 years. Topics England National Football Team Thomas Tuchel Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Tuchel calls for strong finish to Englands World Cup campaign Mitch Fretton 17th July, 2026 England manager favourite Guardiola reveals what would tempt him back: I have a real connection with the UK Ben Miller 17th July, 2026 France v England: Expected line-ups, stats and where to watch the World Cup match no-one wants to play Jon Fisher 17th July, 2026 Tuchel 100 per cent committed to England in wake of World Cup exit Nicholas McGee 16th July, 2026 FIFA to decide on further steps in response to insensitive Argentina banner Nicholas McGee 16th July, 2026 Bellingham quells Messi confrontation during heated World Cup semi-final Mitch Fretton 16th July, 2026
