Thomas Tuchel was feeling himself after England’s opening win over Croatia. He quoted Herbert von Karajan about not disturbing the music. He sang Oasis with the fans. Everything was vibes.
Then Tuesday happened. A 0-0 draw with Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The kind of game that makes you check your phone. The kind of game that reminds you England has a habit of following a good opening result with a flat second one. This is the fourth straight tournament they’ve done it. The 1982 World Cup remains the only one where they won all three group games. Tuchel called it tradition. He wasn’t exactly smiling.
But here’s the thing. England isn’t in trouble. Not really. They still lead Group L. They still get Panama on Saturday in New Jersey, a team already eliminated, already beaten twice, and a team they demolished 6-1 in their only previous meeting back in 2018. Panama will sit deep and try to frustrate, just like Ghana did. The difference is England doesn’t need a masterclass. They just need to be competent.
The real concern isn’t the result. It’s how England looked getting there. Ghana defended deeper than England expected, according to assistant Anthony Barry, and Tuchel followed up by complaining the grass was too long. Never a great sign when the manager is blaming the lawn. The bigger tactical issue is at left back, where both Djed Spence and Nico O’Reilly have a habit of getting caught out when opponents run at them. That’s a problem that won’t fix itself against better teams.
Jude Bellingham delivered the team’s official mood in what sounded like a coffee shop wall quote: “No worries, no stress, no drama, stay positive.” And sure, keep calm and carry on has worked before. But England needs to prove they can score without relying on penalties or corners. Against Croatia, they sliced through midfield with precision and punch. Against Ghana, that incision disappeared. Ghana plugged the gaps and England had no answer.
Tuchel hasn’t decided yet whether to rotate fully for the Panama game. He’s leaning toward freshening things up, but more moderately now than if England had already secured top spot with two wins. Marcus Rashford, John Stones and Kobbie Mainoo are waiting for their chances. Bukayo Saka made an impact off the bench and is pushing for a start.
The midfield trio of Declan Rice, Bellingham and Elliot Anderson is working well. Rice called the second half against Croatia “the benchmark for us” and he’s right. England in that mood can beat anyone. The question is whether they can find that mood against a team that sits deep and doesn’t give them space.
Tuchel let his mind wander against Croatia, picturing fans in pubs back home enjoying the full-throttle football. He and the fans agree on one thing. England’s strength is the attack. Their firepower in the final third is the battery that will power them through this World Cup. Time to recharge, plug and play.
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