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Hero Harry Kane’s dramatic late brace rescued England from one of the worst results in its World Cup history – and a relieved Thomas Tuchel believes the Three Lions saviour ‘is getting better’.
The German’s men were heading for a disastrous exit to African minnows DR Congo in Atlanta, but brilliant Kane struck twice in 11 minutes to set up a huge last-16 showdown with co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City.
The deadly Bayern Munich striker’s life-saving double saw him hit five for the tournament, 13 in total and an incredible 72 for the season. He has now overtaken Brazilian legend Pele, but Tuchel suggested more is to come. ‘He is getting better,’ he said, before labelling Kane and other top guns such as Kylian Mbappe as ‘sharks’.
‘They smell blood, they come and they score,’ added the former Chelsea boss, whose side had trailed for more than an hour to Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute strike before Kane’s header and ferocious finish.
Tuchel was also pleased that England not been affected by the infamous weight of the white shirt, despite claims to the contrary by local commentators in the US.
‘I did not see any of that today,’ he said. ‘And it would be so easy to see it but I didn’t. It would be so easy to give in and accept that narrative. I didn’t see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign.’
Harry Kane scored twice to save England from the jaws of an embarrassing defeat to DR Congo
Thomas Tuchel insisted after the match that the 32-year-old is ‘getting better’ with age
Tuchel said his message was to ‘keep pounding the rock’ when he addressed his troops at the final drinks break with time running out on their World Cup dream.
‘We have to keep on knocking, knocking, knocking,’ he said. ‘Keep believing, keep on doing what we do. Don’t give in. That’s what this team is about.’
Meanwhile Kane, 32, was happy to play the role of hero. ‘It feels amazing,’ he told the BBC. ‘We spoke about having hero moments, whether it’s me, a save from (Jordan) Pickford or a block from a defender, whoever it is and for me it was today.’
Tuchel feels it will not be a level playing field when England head 7,300-ft above sea level to the Azteca in the early hours of Monday.
‘It will be one of the most beautiful fixtures,’ he said. ‘But my understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. It just takes too much time. It is physically just not possible. We will have to deal with it and I think we showed that we are ready for that.’
Ahead of this fixture the German, who shifted Declan Rice to the problem right-back slot as England chased the game late on, had spoken of how he had hoped his side would take advantage of the early kick-off and put on a show for youngsters watching back home.
At the Azteca, the match will not start until 1am and Tuchel had a message for the parents. ‘Write an excuse for school and let them watch football!’ he said. ‘They have so much school to go to, but football is ahead for England. Let them watch, there will be a big match on in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.’
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