2026 World Cup: How Thomas Tuchel is looking for a solution – Alan Shearer

We probably haven’t seen as much as we’d like from any of Tuchel’s squads, but we know we can still rely on our big partners to produce something spectacular to change the course of the game.

Ideally, we don’t rely on one man to score from nothing, like Jude Bellingham’s return from Sacca’s corner kick against Panama.

I prefer that our system is giving us a platform where we can create more chances in an open game, but there are going to be times like this in every game where things don’t go your way.

We didn’t look dangerous before we scored, but we already know how important set-pieces are and it’s not a bad thing to have big players you can rely on to provide moments of magic when the team needs it.

It wasn’t a particularly good ball, but Bellingham made it one. Say what you like about his defense but it was still impressive how he got in at the end, showing his strength, balance and skill. After scoring, there is only one winner.

Democratic Congo will defend in numbers and attack us on the break, as will Ghana and Panama. Again, the challenge will be to break them down – and it’s an opportunity to show what we’ve learned.

Part of that can be as simple as how we get the ball into the opponent’s area.

As I said when I was covering the Panama game for Radio 5 Live, we had our wingers Marcus Rashford and Saka cut inside to get the ball in – Rashford right-footed from the left and Saka from the left – which was easy for the defenders to clear.

We look more dangerous when they go outside and put in crosses, like Bellingham did for Khan. That way, he can make a run and attack the ball once he knows he’s coming forward.