Thomas Tuchel: England fans don't ask me about my substitutions against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final

Thomas Tuchel says "99.9 per cent" of England fans do not talk about substitutions or tactical decisions when reflecting on their World Cup experience.

Tuchel faced intense scrutiny over his decision-making during England's 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina, but the Three Lions boss says supporters focus on other things when reflecting on the tournament.

England took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the second half, but Enzo Fernandez struck late on before Lautaro Martinez completed Argentina's comeback.

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Tuchel opted to introduce three defenders before Fernandez's equaliser, a decision that saw England invite wave after wave of Argentine attacks before eventually yielding under the pressure

"99.9 per cent of the fans don't talk about substitutions, tactical tweaks or tactical details," Tuchel told the press.

"They speak about where they watched the Mexico game, and they speak about the second-half energy of the Croatia match.

"They speak about how nerve-racking it was to watch our match against Congo and where they celebrated. This is the feedback I get. This is what we created, and how it should be.

"This is what a World Cup is for: to connect with people and give them experiences they do not forget.

"It makes me proud, it makes me happy. Even if it's just in a cab, at a coffee shop or in the supermarket, you share these little moments and understand that it actually meant something.

"It showed that what the players built was transmitted, and it's what we want to build on."

Analysis: Tuchel's World Cup assessment jars with fan feeling

Sky Sports' Peter Smith:

Tuchel doesn't want England's World Cup campaign to be defined by the final 30 minutes of the semi-final defeat to Argentina. Most England fans would argue that was the key bit.

In his press conference on Friday, Tuchel spoke about the "beautiful" moments in his World Cup review with the FA. The brotherhood the squad had built. How brilliantly the team played in the bronze-medal game against "maybe the strongest squad in the world" France. Never mind that was effectively a dead rubber.

He also suggested England fans would rather talk to him about the win over Mexico or the nervy progression past DR Congo than whether he was too defensive with his subs as England beckoned Lionel Messi and co on. That seems at odds with the general feeling about England's World Cup.

Yes, the third-place finish was England's best finish at a World Cup since 1966. Tuchel wants that in perspective. But he has been brought in by the FA on big money to be the man to get England over the line, after Gareth Southgate twice brought them so close. The inability to do that is the headline from the World Cup.

There may be positives to take forwards from the summer but there is also the question of whether anything will be any different next time, after England made similar mistakes of the past.

'I knew before Mexico I would continue as England boss'

Tuchel also revealed he had been told before England's World Cup clash with Mexico that he would remain in charge beyond the tournament, despite the uncertainty surrounding his position following the semi-final defeat by Argentina.

That backing remained throughout the tournament, with the England boss given the freedom to make his own decisions, including the controversial substitutions that have since come under scrutiny.

He said: "I felt the full support from all my bosses through the whole tournament. Before the Mexico game they told me we know anything can happen in a football match but don't worry, we can see what's going on.

"I felt this kind of freedom to take my choices and coach freely. There was never a doubt in my mind we'd continue together and there was clearly never a doubt in their mind. Reflection is sometimes necessary to get better and experience is a crucial part."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Thomas Tuchel: England fans don't ask me about my substitutions against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final