Manager Tuchel firmly believes England will undergo a transformation in the knockout stages.

In the final round of Group L matches at the World Cup on Saturday, England narrowly defeated the physically imposing Panama 2-0 thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

After this match, England secured first place in their group with 7 points, advancing smoothly to the final 32 of the World Cup. The game unfolded in the light rain of New Jersey, with Panama's tenacious defense and sharp counter-attacks putting England in a grueling battle that lasted for over an hour.

In the second half, Bellingham stepped up to break the deadlock, and then delivered a precise cross, assisting Kane to head the ball into the net. This goal not only sealed the victory, but also allowed Kane to officially surpass legend Gary Lineker with 11 World Cup goals, becoming England's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel praised the team's resilience after the match, stating, "We accomplished what we were required to do. This was in line with our expectations: a tough battle against a physically strong opponent."

“They are a very difficult team to score against, and we were the only team that was able to create so many chances and score two goals. We deserved to win, but it was really hard work.”

Looking ahead to the crucial knockout stage, Tuchel is confident about the team's future. He emphasized that the knockout stage signifies a new beginning, and that the England team possesses indispensable team cohesion and fighting spirit.

Tuchel declared, "Now, with the knockout stage approaching, the World Cup has restarted. We need to gather our strength and energy... We will step up. The bigger the match, the stronger we will become."

Image source: Internet/Sky Sports official website