'Maybe not in our DNA': Under-fire Tuchel shifts blame of Argentina loss to players

England lost 2-1 to Argentina in Wednesday's World Cup semifinal after squandering a lead in the final minutes of the game.

England's collapse has led to severe backlash against Tuchel, but the German defended his tactics after Anthony Gordon's goal and doubled down on deflecting the criticism.

"I think ball possession plays a crucial role," Tuchel said according to the Daily Mail.

"It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish, Argentinian or Brazilian DNA. To take the ball and control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem."

Tuchel went so far as to say there was no hope for England after Gordon's goal.

"But like in every structure, it was important to stay active and push out and fight duels. We just couldn’t. I think in this moment my feeling is that no structure in the world could have helped us because we were too passive. We were not physical enough. We didn’t stop runs arriving in our box, and the deliveries were then too good."

England's possession rate dropped to just 21% following Gordon's goal in the 55th minute, and England completed just two passes between the 66th and 86th minutes - a one-two between goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and defender John Stones.

"Right after our goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession and chances, and it drops dramatically. We got too passive within our structure," Tuchel continued.

"I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five, but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four."

Tuchel wants to stay

Despite the heavy backlash, Tuchel wishes to remain England manager, saying there's still an "extra level" to find on the pitch.

"There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that. I have loved it. I loved every day.

"I said after the Norway game that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and then within the games. I think we can impose ourselves more on the ball."

England play France in the third-place play-off on Saturday, July 18th, at 23.00 CEST in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL.