England looked on course for a place in their first World Cup final since 1966 when Anthony Gordon gave them the lead early in the second half in Atlanta. But the defending champions responded strongly, with Enzo Fernandez equalising before Lautaro Martinez scored the late winner to send Argentina into the final.

Tuchel admitted England struggled after taking the lead and allowed Argentina to take control of the game.

"We're disappointed. We were so close but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances," Tuchel told the BBC.

"We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots. We were close but couldn't keep the level up after we scored."

The England boss is expected to face questions over his substitutions, particularly his decision to replace goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute as Argentina continued to pile on the pressure.

Tuchel insisted the change was made to deal with the growing threat from the South Americans rather than simply protect the lead.

"We conceded a chance straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open," he said.

"Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances, so we tried to help."

The German also rejected suggestions that his tactics were responsible for England letting victory slip away.

"No, I believe that's just the nature of the game," Tuchel said.

"As soon as you lose, you get criticised. It's just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we made different decisions.

"I'm responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism."

Tuchel explained that England wanted to push for a second goal but simply could not regain possession long enough to launch attacks.

"Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help," he said.

"We couldn't win any balls, we couldn't keep the ball. I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely."

Despite the painful exit, Tuchel confirmed he has no plans to step down. Having signed a two-year contract extension in February that runs until after the 2028 European Championship, which England will co-host, he said he remains fully committed to leading the national team.

"We keep on going for the contract until the home Euros, and I'm looking forward to that," Tuchel said. "Even like now, it's difficult to look that far ahead."

Stellenbosch CEO backs Terrence Mashego loan deal from Mamelodi Sundowns