England’s World Cup 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak after a 2-1 semifinal loss to Argentina. Manager Thomas Tuchel admitted the defeat will leave a lasting scar as he backed Spain for the final on Sunday.

What did Tuchel say in his presser?

The 52-year-old German coach didn’t sugarcoat the pain of the July 15 clash against the Albiceleste. "At 85 minutes we were leading 1-0, we faced the best player in the world, and we lost 2-1. That hurts," he told reporters. Tuchel took full blame: "I’m the main person responsible. I made calls on instinct and experience, but the result didn’t come."

He praised his side’s effort in the third-place playoff, where England beat France 6-4 in a wild, end-to-end clash. "Eight years ago France were world champions. We wanted to close the gap and we did. This team created something special," Tuchel said. While the players weren’t satisfied with third place, he highlighted their mentality: "I have energy for this job. The loss to Argentina gives me more energy than it takes away."

Why this matters for Argentina

Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal win over England not only booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final but cemented their reputation as a team to fear. Their last result was a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, and they now boast five straight wins. Their next test comes Sunday, July 19 against Spain in a clash Tuchel called "very tight between two very strong teams." The German, who once managed Argentina’s future opponents at Chelsea, added: "If Argentina beat us, they deserve to be in the final too."

What’s next for England - and the tournament?

England’s World Cup 2026 run ends with mixed feelings. Tuchel made it clear the sting of the loss to Argentina will linger: "The scar will remain, even if the pain fades over time." For the final, he didn’t hesitate: "I have to say Spain. It’ll be a very even match between two very strong teams."

All eyes now turn to Sunday’s final, where Argentina chase a third world title. The Albiceleste arrive on a five-game winning streak, backed by a nation dreaming of back-to-back triumphs after 1978 and 1986.