Tuchel privately rejects claims he told England to defend lead before Argentina comeback

Thomas Tuchel has privately rejected suggestions that he ordered England to defend their lead in the closing stages of their 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, according to The Telegraph. Anthony Gordon had put England ahead in the second half, but Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez scored the winner in stoppage time to send the reigning world champions through.

The German manager and his players faced heavy criticism for what many observers described as a defensive retreat after Gordon’s opener. However, The Telegraph reports that Tuchel privately rejects that characterisation entirely, with sources indicating he had wanted his side to press higher rather than drop deep. The Football Association is said to still back Tuchel despite the early exit.

Speaking after the defeat, Tuchel defended his in-game decisions while accepting personal responsibility for the outcome. “You can discuss this with a million coaches — I have to make a decision on the pitch,” he said. “I analysed the match and I did it a certain way, so that’s my responsibility. In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close. We deserved to be up 1-0. We played one of our better matches, maybe our best match in the circumstances.”

Tuchel’s future as England manager has become a subject of speculation since the loss, though the 51-year-old moved to draw a line under the debate by pointing to his existing contract. “I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that,” he said, adding that it was difficult to look that far ahead in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.

England will now face France in the third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday before the squad disperses for the summer.