A large "ouf" must have been heard on Wednesday night in England after the referee's last whistle in the 11th group derby against Croatia which expired 4-2 for the lions.
With the team's bad past in the history of the World Cups in mind, everyone was afraid that the match with Croatia would not have a good end and the murmuring about Tuhel and his players would resume.
These fears were strengthened by cynical Croatia, which although without impressive football managed to tie the English twice in the first half ending 2–2.
Touhel speech and the impressive second half
This would be psyched and the federal coach of England, Thomas Tujell, and at halftime he made a speech to his players who, as Harry Kane revealed, "turned the button" for the "lions".
"He told us to take off the "handcuffs", calm down and get started. He said "what's the worst that can happen? Show the world who we can be" Bayern Munich quarterback revealed after the end of the race.
"We entered the second half with all our energy and couldn't stand it, and this is the level we have to play in every game," Kane added.
"The team we wanted to show we were, appeared in the second half," June Bellingham said on his side.
"I felt we weren't brave enough and we didn't have enough faith but I liked our reaction in the second half," said the German technician
'I felt us not brave enough, not sanctioned enough together but I loved the reaction in the second half.' 💪
Get the sound on to hear from England manager Thomas Tuchel 🔊 pic.twitter. com/eJdT1WkIXS— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 17, 2026
Nine chances in 12 minutes
Proof of how much the Touchel speech affected the English is what happened in the first 12 minutes of the second half.
As Sky Sports recorded, within this time England threatened Croatia's focus 9 times.
The beginning took place in the 47th minute with Bellingham's goal after Anderson's pass. A minute later Real Madrid's star threatened again but Croatian goalkeeper, Livakovic, saved the goal.
In the 49th O'Reilly caught the header from a corner but sent the ball out to follow after three minutes Declan Rice's shot that Livakovic caught again.
In 56' O'Reilly threatened again with a headbut Croatia's goalkeeper was there again, with Livakovic reacting to Gordon's rebound and Kane's attempt to send the ball to the nets.
Bayern's striker struck again a minute later with two shots but Livakovic was again "present" and effective.