Soccer
World Cup Daily: Tuchel makes the difference as the first round of group games culminate
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Just like that, the first round of group games are over as DAZN News rounds up the biggest stories from the World Cup on Thursday, June 18.
"I loved the reaction"
Thomas Tuchel reflects on England's victory over Croatia
Tuchel proves his worth, as do England
England stepped into World Cup action as the final group got underway and produced one of the most entertaining games of the finals thus far.
Harry Kane showed his 'hold my beer' moment to the competition's other starters with two goals, before second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.
Yet, it was Thomas Tuchel who showed why the FA went all out to appoint the German manager. Not happy with the Three Lions' sloppy defensive display and lack of control in the first half, he read the riot act at half-time, and it saw England produce a 15-minute spell of the likes we haven't seen since the glory days of Euro 96.
It's moments like that England never saw from Gareth Southgate and it could well be the reason why this team goes very deep into the competition.
Much to fear from Group L?
Encouragingly, there doesn't look like too much to fear from England's other two opponents in the group, following the other opening game in the group.
Ghana huffed and puffed against Panama, but struggled to break them down and it looked like it would finish as the tournament's first goalless draw. In fact, it was Panama that posed more of a threat and had more shots and more possession than Carlos Quieroz's team.
In the end the Africans did sneak a victory, thanks to a 95th-minute goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, but they will need to step up several levels if they are to give Thomas Tuchel any headaches next week.
Elsewhere, the final group stage match saw Colombia defeat Uzbekistan 3-1, with the debutants more than holding their own against the South American World Cup regulars.
Congo don't care
Ever been in an away end or opposition pub and had to sit on your hands when your team scores? Yeah, we've all done it.
However, nothing was stopping these Congo fans from celebrating their first-ever World Cup point - even though they were slap bang in the middle of a Portugal fan park.
The small group of Congolese supporters did not attempt to hide their jubilations as they jumped up in full celebratory mode when Yoane Wissa equalised for the Africans.
Maybe not something to try next season though if you find yourself among the enemy lines at any point.
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