Soccer
Tuchel got out of jail, but things need to change ahead of daunting trip to Azteca
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England are through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over DR Congo in Atlanta, but the scoreline doesn't begin to tell the story of the match.
For over an hour, it looked as though Thomas Tuchel's side were heading for an embarrassing early exit from the competition.
Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute goal shocked the Three Lions, and as they huffed and puffed and squandered chance after chance, it looked as though the worst-case scenario was about to be played out.
That was until Harry Kane did what Harry Kane does and saved his country once again with two late goals to turn the game on its head.
Without Kane, England were heading home, Tuchel's job under threat, so the question is, what has the England boss got so wrong and how can he fix it - and quickly.
Kane delighted to deliver England 'hero' moment
Tuchel's wrongdoings
A lot of what happened against Congo can be traced back to Tuchel's original squad choices, especially in the full-back areas.
Taking Reece James is a no-brainer, but it came with a risk given his injury record, and so it has already proved. Equally, picking Tino Livramento amid his injury-hit season and then seeing him pull out of the squad was unfortunate, but the decision not to replace the Newcastle man with another out-and-out right-back now seems baffling.
With James' injury and then Jarell Quansah - also not a natural full-back - Djed Spence has been forced into that role, when normally more comfortable on the left side.
Therefore, it wasn't a big shock to see Congo's goal come via that flank, as Spence got dragged inside and, without any cover from Noni Madueke, left a gaping hole for Cipenga to strike. By the end of the game, Declan Rice had been thrown into that position, but it's a conundrum that shouldn't have been allowed to happen.
The knock-on effect has been competing in a major tournament without a settled back four, with Tuchel deciding/being forced to change his backline in every game.
Which is why, at times, against the Africans, the defence looked all over the place, with a lack of communication, and they could have easily conceded more than the one goal they did.
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Just like against Ghana and at times Panama, England once again failed to break down a defensively stubborn team, and it brings into question Tuchel's choices in attacking areas.
The game plan at the moment just looks like a straight choice on the eight flank between Saka and Madueke and Rashford and Gordon - with any of the quartet having really done enough in all four games.
Rashford continues to be a better bench option than a starter, but Gordon - until his assist for Kane tonight - had also offered very little. While Madueke is a frustrating understudy to a clearly not fit enough Saka.
So, why isn't Tuchel exploring more ideas? We've only seen flashes of Morgan Rogers and Ebere Eze, and Kobbie Mainoo hasn't even been given a minute. Players who could unpick those locks England have struggled to get through.
Or would the introduction of an Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney give the team more options and a bigger threat in the box?
Then there's the elephant in the room of not taking a Cole Palmer or Phil Foden. Creative forces, whose bit of magic would be ideal in games where they run out of attacking ideas.
Lucky for England, Harry Kane has again found the answer, but we can't keep relying on England's greatest-ever player to bail the team out again.
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What next?
Mexico. In Mexico. At the iconic Azteca Stadium. The last 16 tasks won't be much tougher, and there are some big calls to make for the England manager.
Fingers crossed James can come back in, because if not, the right back area remains an unanswered conundrum. Something needs to change in defence too, with too much space being afforded to every team thus far.
The co-hosts present a step up, and won't be so wasteful if presented with the kind of opportunities England has given others.
Then there are the wingers. If Saka is fit, he has to start because he's the best of the underperforming bunch, but on the left, it's a tricky call that he has to get right, which means maybe trying an Eze or Rogers there.
Ultimately, England has to start better, too. In every game, their first-half display has been the cause of the panic button in the second. Luckily, so far, they've scraped through, often thanks to the difference makers in Bellingham and Kane.
But that approach won't win you the tournament and may not even get you past the next round.
It's time for Tuchel to show why he was drafted in and fulfil the reputation of being that winning coach that the Three Lions lacked under Gareth Southgate. Or we run the risk of wasting another generation capable of so much more.
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