Tuchel defends his strategies after England's World Cup semi-final loss

England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, stood by his tactics after the Three Lions' World Cup hopes ended in a painful late defeat to Argentina on Wednesday.

England looked set to make it to their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon scored early in the second half in Atlanta.

But the team faced heavy pressure from the defending champions. Goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 2-1 win.

Tuchel said his team became “too passive” after taking the lead at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“We're disappointed, we were so close but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances,” Tuchel told the BBC.

“We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots,” he added.

“We were close but couldn't keep the level up after we scored.”

Tuchel is likely to face tough questions about his substitutions, especially when he took off goalscorer Gordon for defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute.

“I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players,” he said.

“We conceded a chance straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open.

“Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help.”

When asked in a press conference if he believed he made the wrong tactical choices, Tuchel replied: “No, I believe that’s just the nature of the game.

“As soon as you lose, you get criticized. It’s just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we made different decisions.

“So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I’m responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism.”

When questioned about why England played less aggressively when they were ahead, Tuchel said: “Yes, but it doesn’t help if you can’t get the ball. We couldn’t get out.

“Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help.

“We couldn’t win any balls, we couldn’t keep the ball so I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely.”

Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February that lasts until the 2028 European Championships, which England is co-hosting.

When asked if he expected to remain England manager after Wednesday's loss, Tuchel indicated he plans to stick to his contract leading up to the 2028 European Championship.

“We keep on going for contract until the home Euros, and I’m looking forward to that. Even like now, it’s difficult to look that far ahead,” he said.