England’s manager Thomas Tuchel has vowed that his team will get better in World Cup knockouts. The Three Lions were able to top their group after a comprehensive 2-0 win against Panama on Saturday.
After a goalless first-half, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored for the Three Lions. Kane scored his 11th World Cup goal and became England’s highest goal-scorer in the World Cup history.
Bellingham got the crucial touch ahead of the opposition defender from a corner whereas Kane scored a header.
Earlier in the tournament, Tuchel’s men registered a 4-2 win against Croatia and played a goalless draw against Ghana.
“I think so,” Tuchel said when asked if England would be better suited for knockout matches. “The first match was almost like a knockout football match, the intensity in the second half. The tension suddenly grew in the match against Croatia. And today when you see the result, you are suddenly in a moment you are second in the group because Croatia scored [against Ghana], it also brings out this feeling.
“It is good to see these moments. We can trust and rely on our players, they are used to these moments. They play Champions League until the very end, they play Europa League until the very end. They normally face this. They have strong belief.
“We know what we need to get better and we will get better. There’s no problem in putting the work in and growing into a tournament like this with difficult opponents to overcome. It is important now we keep believing, keep focusing on what we can influence.
“Every game will be a different game. There are so many styles and cultures of football. The most important thing is to not be afraid, be brave, courageous and go step by step. and we are ready for that.”
The German said they wanted to win the group and they were able to achieve their first target of the quadrennial event.
“We wanted to win the group,” Tuchel said. “There is no substitute for wins and we have that feeling again.
“Three days to prepare the match in Atlanta. The tournament starts new again. We had the first chapter in prep camp, then a second chapter in the group and the third chapter is coming.”
England will face the DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.
