Thomas Tuchel insists England not cursed as he takes blame for World Cup exit

By Simon Peach, Press Association Chief Football Writer, Atlanta

Under-fire Thomas Tuchel does not believe England are cursed and took responsibility for the agonising World Cup semi-final collapse against bitter rivals Argentina.

A date with destiny against Spain in Sunday’s MetLife Stadium showpiece was within touching distance after Anthony Gordon struck early in the second half in Atlanta.

But England paid for retreating rather than pushing to score again, with Tuchel’s defence-minded decisions after taking the lead welcoming Argentina on and leading to Enzo Fernandez’s late equaliser.

Worse was to follow as Lautaro Martinez headed home Lionel Messi’s cross in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 comeback win that has seen Tuchel’s negative approach panned by fans and pundits alike.

Asked if he believed he got his decisions wrong, the England boss said: “No, I believe that’s just the nature of the game.

“As soon as you lose, you get criticised. That’s just what it is and get criticised after. 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. That’s just the way it is.”

Tuchel admits his side were too “passive” and also “tired” at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where England fell into the kind of negative habits seen in some big occasions under Sir Gareth Southgate.

Their last World Cup semi-final ended in a 2-1 extra-time defeat after taking the lead against Croatia, with England then pegged back by Italy three years later before losing the European Championship final on penalties.

“I love to see these things in a football matter and through football glasses, so first of all I always think solvable on the football field,” Tuchel said.

“I don’t believe so much in an English thing and in a curse or whatever, or in like history repeating itself in these moments.

“It’s different coaches, different players, different situations, different opponents, so I think basically I believe in the football thing, which for me still as a football coach cost us today because I think we were just not active enough in any structure.”

England’s loss in Atlanta means they will face France in Saturday’s third-place play-off in Miami rather than heading to New Jersey for a shot at immortality against Spain.

It is another case of being so close and yet so far for a team that Tuchel intends to lead into the home Euros in 2028 despite the backlash to their loss in Georgia.

“First of all, the World Cup is not over,” Tuchel said. “There is still a match to play, that we are not looking forward to so much to but there is still a match to play.

“Of course then we keep on going. I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that even like now it is difficult to look that far ahead.”

The Football Association’s decision to hand Tuchel a two-year extension in February is sure to come into question in the following days.

Chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “It is heartbreaking to be so close.

“The players and Thomas gave it everything today, and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament.

“I would like to thank them all – and also give my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful fans here in the USA and at home. We felt your support every step of the way, and we are all so disappointed not to go further.”