Tuchel: Bellingham Was a Key Element in the Victory, and We Executed What Was Required

Thomas Tuchel, the head coach of the England national team, expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance following their 2-0 victory over Panama in the third and final round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

Tuchel said in statements after the match: "We executed what was required of us, and it was a tough match against a team with great physical strength, making it difficult to score against them. However, we were the only team that created this number of chances and managed to score two goals."

He added, "We played with an attacking style and pressed hard, while being cautious of counterattacks, and we deserved the win despite the difficulty of the match. We still have a lot to develop, as there are many details that need improvement, especially in one-on-one situations and defending with an attacking approach."

The England coach spoke about the knockout stage, saying: "The tournament starts anew now. We will regain our strength and energy, building on what we have achieved so far. We have a strong team spirit and great confidence, and we will elevate our level. The bigger the matches, the stronger we become."

Tuchel pointed out the pressure of the matches, stating: "We will play the next match in a few days, and this is not a problem for us. In fact, we enjoy this rhythm and handle it well."

The English coach praised Jude Bellingham's performance, saying: "He played a good match, and I am pleased with the form he is showing. Everyone did their part, and Bellingham was an important element in this victory."

He concluded about the performance of the substitute players: "I am happy with the participation of Ollie Watkins and Jordan Henderson, as they deserve more minutes than they are getting. Making decisions is not easy, but they understand the nature of competition within the team."