THOMAS TUCHEL used his game-saving second hydration break to inspire THREE lions in the camp.
Just seven minutes into a nightmare first half, Brian Cipenga gave the side of unknowns and underdogs a shock lead.
Thomas Tuchel used his final team talk to inspire his side to a crucial comeback Credit: Getty
The German manager has now turned England around after poor starts against Croatia and DR Congo Credit: Getty
And not much changed until just after the hour-mark, when the 53-year-old German finally started making some much-needed subs, with and Noni Madueke swapped out for and Bukayo Saka.
With just 20 minutes left, were still crashing out to World Cup minnows .
But then Barcelona-bound Gordon produced two assists and hero converted both, on 75 and 86 minutes – to save the day and book the tickets to Mexico.
Tuchel, and Fifa bigwig all felt the final drinks break, around 70 minutes, was a crucial turning point.
And Geoff Shreeves explained to Fox that he saw Tuchel use that late window to speak directly to a hat-trick of stars who helped Kane score that crucial brace.
The respected veteran reporter said: “When that water break started, made a beeline for to give him instructions.
“Then he moved onto Anthony Gordon and finally .
England rehydrated for the final few minutes but also refreshed their minds with ideas and orders Credit: Getty
“After that, all the players got in a huddle, when he delivered probably the most important team talk of his international career.”
Gordon provided two assists from the bench, Rice put a right-back shift in, when the position continued to give us problems, and Bellingham had a couple of headed chances.
And it seems like Tuchel’s wise words mixed perfectly with the last few or splashed around worried faces, with the clock ticking down.
The German gaffer said: “I make the most of it. You know I don’t really love them.
“I enjoy more when it plays out with momentum and players and teams have to find their way into it in these kinds of momentums. It is a free-flowing game that is more interrupted than I thought.
“But they are here, why would I not try and take advantage? I felt today it was easier today to speak to players, they were very calm, very receptive.
“Sometimes the water breaks can be a bit chaotic, everyone tries to encourage, everyone has a message, everyone tries to help.
“I felt them quite calm and quite focused in the key moments.”
New World Cup 2026 rules
FIFA confirmed several new rules coming into play for the World Cup 2026.
They are:
- Outfield players cannot go to technical areas while goalkeeper getting treatment
- Five-second countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins
- Ten-second substitutions – or else one-minute sub entry delay
- One minute off field after outfield players get treatment
- Three-minute hydration breaks in each half
- VAR can intervene over fouls before ball in play for goals, penalties and disciplinary sanctions
- VAR can correct wrongly-awarded yellow cards and corners
- Red cards for covering mouth in confrontational talk
- Red cards for walking off pitch in protest
Newcastle and England Shearer also spotted Tuchel giving personal pointers to a few good men.
The pundit said: “I don’t agree with them but it has come at the right time for England.
“You can see Thomas because not one of them has put in a performance yet.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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