Former England captain Wayne Rooney expressed disappointment as the Three Lions fell to Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, stating they “didn’t know what to do” after taking the lead. Anthony Gordon's second-half goal had ignited dreams of a first men’s World Cup final in 60 years, but defensive substitutions from head coach Thomas Tuchel led to England retreating deeper into their half.

As England changed their formation to a back-five, Argentina remained composed, ultimately coming back with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. Tuchel faced immediate criticism, with parallels drawn to England's previous defeats in major tournaments.

• Joe Hart, former England goalkeeper, noted the recurring theme of England losing grip after taking the lead.
• Harry Kane lamented the lack of ambition after going 1-0 up, stating, "When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough."

Rooney criticized Tuchel for his negative tactics, suggesting that the switch to a back-five allowed Argentina to dictate play. Micah Richards echoed this sentiment, stating that Tuchel was supposed to be the solution to England's tactical issues, yet the same problems persisted.

Despite the backlash, Tuchel defended his decisions, claiming he had “no regrets.” He acknowledged that England became too passive after scoring, with just 12 percent possession until they conceded.

Tuchel emphasized that while he aimed for a balanced approach, the match dynamics shifted dramatically, leading to a lack of control in midfield. He accepted the scrutiny of his decisions but maintained that there was no structural issue with the team’s performance.