England national team head coach Thomas Tuchel advised his players not to be drawn toward Lionel Messi during the First Hydration break in Wednesday’s match against Argentina
16:30 ET, 15 Jul 2026Updated 17:55 ET, 15 Jul 2026
Thomas Tuchel sent his players a stark warning during the first hydration break of Wednesday’s game(Image: Getty Images)
England national team head coach Thomas Tuchel sent a stark warning to his players during the First Hydration break in Wednesday’s clash against Argentina.
Following an aggressive opening to the World Cup semi-final match, Tuchel — who made no effort to conceal his anger with the officials — gathered his players and advised them not to be drawn toward Lionel Messi.
Per professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, Tuchel said: “This is what’s happening, Messi, he blank scored, all of you are going to one side. You gotta stop it or they’re gonna score. Don’t be slow. I need you to push it or we’re out.”
Just minutes later, Tuchel gave referee Maurizio Mariani an earful following a pair of physical plays.
In the 28th minute, Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister charged into Reece James as the pair challenged for possession. After securing the loose ball, England’s Morgan Rogers was likewise knocked to the ground.
Although official Ismail Elfath first indicated an England throw-in, he rapidly reversed his decision and granted the throw to Argentina. Tuchel immediately erupted in fury, yelling at Mariani while vigorously gesturing with his arms.
According to Hickling, on behalf of Covers.com, Tuchel shouted: “What is wrong with you? What is going on? It’s a foul. Are you crazy… blind crazy. It’s a foul
Tuchel’s advice to his players came back to haunt him(Image: Getty Images)
“Are you telling me you didn’t see that. What is going on, why can’t you be fair? I can’t forgive you for not doing your job. You’re f—–.”
Though Tuchel’s side managed to keep Messi in check for the majority of the first half, the 39-year-old made his presence felt in the closing moments of the match while helping Argentina score two unanswered goals inside six-and-a-half minutes.
With Argentina trailing by one goal in the 85th minute, Messi played a clever short corner to Enzo Fernandez, catching England’s packed inside the penalty area. The Chelsea midfielder swiftly capitalized on the opportunity, unleashing a brilliant strike past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to level the score, 1-1.
It didn’t take long for Messi to make his mark yet again, as he delivered a pinpoint cross to Lautaro Martínez at the back post, where the striker hammered home a close-range header to give Argentina their first lead of the afternoon, 2-1.
Tuchel’s advice to his squad additionally came back to haunt him, as the Three Lions failed to effectively push the ball after Anthony Gordon buried Morgan Rogers’ cross into the back of the net in the 55th minute.
England proceeded to drop too deep too soon, allowing Messi and company to assume control in the closing minutes en route to pulling off their improbable comeback.
La Albiceleste will now face off against Spain in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, while Tuchel and England can only sit and wonder what could’ve been.
