World Cup 2026: How Thomas Tuchel is still searching for solutions out wide – Alan Shearer

Maybe we haven’t seen as much from every part of Tuchel’s squad as we would have liked, but we still know we can count on our big players to step up and produce something great that will change the course of the game.

Ideally, we wouldn’t rely on someone to score us a goal from scratch, as Jude Bellingham did against Panama when he converted Saka’s corner.

I would prefer our system to give us a platform to create lots of chances in open play, but in every game there will be times like this when things just don’t work for you.

We didn’t look dangerous before we scored, but we already knew how important set-pieces were and it’s certainly not a bad thing to have big players you can count on to provide such a magic moment when the team needs it.

It wasn’t a very good ball, but Bellingham turned it into a ball. Say what you will about the defence, but it was still impressive how he got to the end and showed his strength, balance and skill. After scoring, there would only be one winner.

DR Congo is likely to set up like Ghana and Panama by defending with numbers and trying to hit us at half-time. Again, the challenge will be to take them apart, and this is a chance to show off what we’ve learned.

Some of this could be as simple as the way we get the ball into the opponent’s area.

As I said while watching the Panama game for Radio 5 Live, our wingers Marcus Rashford and Saka were putting in loose balls – Rashford with his right foot from the left and Saka from the left – it was easier for the defenders.

We look more dangerous when they go out and make crosses, like Bellingham did for Kane’s goal. This way the striker can run and attack the ball when he realizes it is coming.