England manager Thomas Tuchel has come under heavy criticism from former Three Lions stars Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Michael Owen after England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final ended the team's hopes of reaching its first World Cup final since 1966. The former internationals questioned Tuchel's tactical approach, arguing that his defensive changes after England took the lead allowed Argentina to regain control of the contest.

England looked on course for a famous victory when Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute, putting Tuchel's side in a strong position against the defending champions. However, Argentina responded by increasing the pressure, eventually overturning the deficit to claim a 2-1 victory and secure a place in the World Cup final.

Reacting to the result, Wayne Rooney said England's tactical approach after taking the lead proved costly, suggesting the team became overly cautious instead of continuing to attack. Gary Neville echoed those sentiments, arguing that England surrendered the initiative by retreating too deep and allowing Argentina to dictate possession. Michael Owen also criticised the manager's decisions, saying the side failed to build on its momentum after opening the scoring.

Also Read: England Told To Mark Lionel Messi Relentlessly In Crucial Semifinal Against Argentina

The criticism centred on Tuchel's in-game management, with the former England stars claiming the German coach adopted an unnecessarily defensive strategy in one of the team's biggest matches in decades. According to the pundits, England appeared to lose control after altering its approach, enabling Argentina to grow in confidence and seize the momentum during the latter stages of the semi-final.

The defeat marked another painful World Cup exit for England, whose wait for a second World Cup title now extends beyond six decades. Despite entering the tournament as one of the favourites and producing several impressive performances, the semi-final loss means the Three Lions will once again leave the competition without reaching the final. The result has inevitably intensified scrutiny of Tuchel, who took charge of the national team with the objective of ending England's long wait for major international silverware.

While criticism of the manager dominated post-match discussions, many observers also acknowledged Argentina's resilience and ability to respond after falling behind. The South American side capitalised on England's retreat, producing a comeback that earned them a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. For England, attention will now shift to analysing the campaign and assessing the tactical decisions made in the semi-final, with Tuchel expected to face continued questions over his approach after one of the country's most significant defeats on the international stage.

Also Read: Thomas Tuchel Confirms England Nearly At Full Strength Before Norway Quarter-Final