World Cup: Tuchel defends England’s defensive tactics amid backlash after elimination
By Luke Oluoch, July 17, 2026England’s boss Thomas Tuchel stepped up the defense of his tactics after the Three Lions’ semifinal elimination from the World Cup by Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The defeat in Atlanta saw the German coach heavily criticised with many accusing him of negative tactics, which turned the game in Argentina’s favour, and turned a 1-0 lead into a 2-1 defeat.
He has, however, attributed the collapse to a lack of player confidence occasioned by a weakness in the English football DNA, which means the players struggle to keep possession when under pressure.
Passive England
“We were too passive, and we were not physical enough; we didn’t stop runners arriving in our box, and the deliveries were wrong too.
“I haven’t seen the data yet, but I think just right after the goal the momentum swings completely and ball possession drops dramatically. We couldn’t find any duels anymore; that’s why we dropped deeper and deeper. It was never the plan, but it happened,” he stated.
English DNA
Tuchel added that the element of ball possession and playing out remain a critical element of football that English football could be sorely lacking.
“(We) couldn’t stop the runners from the second line, the midfielders, through our gaps, and the deliveries were on the highest level. You need to get back on the ball; otherwise, you cannot break the pressure, and you cannot get the momentum back.
“I think ball possession plays a crucial role; it’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in our Spanish DNA or in our Argentinian-Brazilian DNA, to take the ball and control the game with the ball.”
Among those who have criticised the coach following the bitter loss is former England skipper and attacker Wayne Rooney.
Rooney on Tuchel
Rooney claimed the coach was ‘asking for trouble’ with his subs against Argentina.
“We got ourselves in such a good position and we didn’t know what to do. We sat back, allowing them to come on to us. They put us under pressure, and we cracked. As soon as they got the first goal, it was inevitable they’d get the second.
“When you go on top, you have to stay on top. We go 1-0 up, then sit back, make changes, and go five or six at the back. If you allow [Lionel] Messi and Argentina to come onto you, you’re asking for trouble.” Rooney said.