England national team coach Thomas Tuchel revealed the key to his team's victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) national team in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup at Atlanta Stadium, United States, which ended on Thursday WIB.
Tuchel emphasized that every player must have the same mentality as the Three Lions, who remained undeterred by Brian Cipenga's early goal for DR Congo and turned the game around with a Harry Kane brace.
"We have to have that mentality. When the game gets tough, it will be tough. But don't lose patience and never lose faith," Tuchel said, as quoted on FIFA's official website.
Substitutions, Tuchel said, also played a significant role in the Three Lions' change of play in the second half, with him bringing on Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka for Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke in the 61st minute.
Gordon himself made the difference in this match after his two assists were converted into two goals for Kane, who now has five goals for England at the 2026 World Cup.
"But after the first drinks break, we started to take control of the game. The substitutes came on and brought new energy, and we managed to turn the game around. I think we deserved to win, even though we had to work very hard," said the German coach.
