England were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, with former Liverpool forward Michael Owen and ex-Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney blaming Thomas Tuchel's tactics
Paul Wheelock Head of sport
08:05, 16 Jul 2026Updated 08:10, 16 Jul 2026
Michael Owen had his say on the game
Michael Owen had his say on the game(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen are of the opinion that Thomas Tuchel's substitutions proved costly for England as they squandered a prime opportunity to reach a World Cup final for the first time in 60 years, falling 2-1 to Argentina in Atlanta.
A 55th-minute strike from former Everton winger Anthony Gordon handed the Three Lions the lead, however just 17 minutes later the new Barcelona signing was withdrawn in favour of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
Two further defensive replacements, Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly and Newcastle United's Dan Burn, were introduced 10 minutes later as England looked to consolidate their advantage.
Yet by that point Argentina had already seized control of proceedings, and with captain Lionel Messi causing mayhem from his new berth on the right flank, the holders netted twice in the space of eight minutes through Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Inter striker Lautaro Martinez.
Supporters flooded social media following the defeat to scrutinise Tuchel's in-game decision-making, which had garnered considerable praise earlier in the tournament, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Former Everton frontman Rooney voiced his belief that the German tactician, appointed to deliver England glory after his predecessor Gareth Southgate endured two European Championship final defeats alongside a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final exit, had made the wrong calls.
Speaking on BBC One, he said: "You can't go a goal up and then surrender. Surrender the ball and surrender any opportunity of trying to get the second goal. You want to be on the front foot when the pressure is on Argentina to get back in the game.
"If you're on that pitch, go 1-0 up and then see the changes the manager is making... you are losing belief. There's only so many times you can get away with it. You start thinking: 'We're going to sit back, how are we going to get through this?'
"We got ourselves in such a good position, and then we didn't know what to do. We sat back, we allowed them to come onto us. They were creating a number of chances, then we cracked. Really disappointed.
Wayne Rooney speaks on BBC One after England's World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina
Wayne Rooney speaks after England's World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina
"These fans have spent a lot of money to be out here. I expected more in this game. Argentina are the world champions. We knew it was going to be the difference. The changes we made didn't help us. Devastated. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win these tournaments.
"Once we got the first goal, we didn't look to go for the second goal. For the players, and for me, Thomas Tuchel made the decision, and when you make the decision, it is a gamble. The gamble he made was to go with five at the back, which allowed them to dictate the game.
"The decisions Thomas Tuchel made, we have to be honest, have cost us tonight."
A striking statistic surfaced following the semi-final, revealing the Three Lions managed merely 12% possession between Gordon's opening goal and Martinez's 92nd-minute winner.
And former Liverpool forward Owen, who partnered Rooney in attack for England during their playing days, headed to X to share his assessment of the latest disappointment.
Thomas Tuchel reacts during the World Cup semi-final
Thomas Tuchel reacts during the World Cup semi-final(Image: Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
He said: "Watch Spain at 1-0 last night. That's courage. That's bravery. And then watch England at 1-0. What's the difference?".
"We are a better team than Argentina, I've no doubt in my mind. But we deserved to get beat in the end. In fact, it could have been 4-1.
"Bringing on three defenders at 1-0 up. What message does that send? I wrote it in my Daily Mail column after the Mexico game. Until we understand that courage and bravery is controlling possession under pressure and not booting / heading it up the field 40 yards then this will always be the end result.
"Our lads are so genuine. They can hold their heads up high. Consistently getting to the latter stages of major competitions. I'm convinced that with a bit more tactical nous, we'd be European champions (v Italy at Wembley) and on the verge of becoming world champions."
Argentina will now take on Spain, who delivered a commanding performance to overcome France 2-0 on Tuesday in Dallas, in Sunday's final.
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England, for whom Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced two outstanding second-half saves before Fernandez's 85th-minute equaliser, will now meet France in Saturday's third-place play-off.