Tuchel leads England into World Cup semi-final against Argentina as underdogs

Thomas Tuchel will lead England against Argentina in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta today, with the Three Lions entering the fixture as underdogs against the reigning world champions and their talisman Lionel Messi.

The match carries enormous historical weight. The two nations last met at this stage in the infamous 1986 quarter-final, where Diego Maradona eliminated England with the ‘Hand of God’ and what many consider the greatest solo goal ever scored.

England have reached the last four after beating Croatia, Panama, DR Congo, Mexico and Norway, the most recent of those a 2-1 victory that showcased Tuchel’s tactical grip on the tournament. Despite a squad widely regarded as one of the most talented England have assembled in years, expectations among supporters remain sky-high rather than cautious.

Tuchel, 52, was appointed England manager in January 2025 with an explicit mandate: end the country’s 59-year wait for a World Cup. The former Chelsea and PSG head coach has so far delivered the results and the composure the role demands.

Off the pitch, Tuchel’s personal life has undergone significant change in recent years. His 13-year marriage to Sissi — the couple wed in 2009 and have two daughters, Emma and Kim — ended in divorce in 2022, during his time at Chelsea. The separation became public shortly after Sissi had relocated the family to Surrey to be closer to him, and reports at the time suggested the breakdown had affected the atmosphere within the Chelsea dressing room. Tuchel was dismissed from Stamford Bridge less than six months after the split became known.

“Sissi and Thomas have tried to avoid splitting, but in the end, there was no other way,” a source told the Mail on Sunday at the time. “It is very sad, and now it is all about making sure their daughters are the top priority.”

With that chapter behind him, Tuchel has refocused entirely on international management — and tonight in Atlanta, he faces the defining test of his tenure.