The Three Lions had the scent of victory dangling just out of reach for far too long – but what a thrilling finale it proved to be! England's Round of 16 spot was secured in dramatic fashion, as Thomas Tuchel's tactical masterclass finally paid dividends in the dying embers of a hard-fought encounter against DR Congo.
The normally reliable Three Lions defence was breached early on, and for long periods they struggled to unlock the Congolese rearguard – despite dominating possession and having a glut of scoring opportunities. It was as if England were stuck in neutral, unable to shift the Congolese into reverse gear.
But Tuchel's timely interventions, which saw him switch formations and hand Harry Kane the keys to unlock DR Congo's defences, proved the game-changer. The usually prolific striker had been starved of service for most of the match, but in the latter stages he finally broke free from his shackles, scoring two crucial goals that sealed a vital 3-0 win.
Tuchel's tactical tweaks have once again proven to be the difference-maker in England's campaign – and it's hard not to feel a sense of excitement and optimism about their prospects going forward. 'We showed great character and spirit today,' Tuchel declared afterwards, summing up his team's resilience perfectly.
For England, this result is a welcome respite from the trials and tribulations of the group stage – but they know all too well that the real challenge lies ahead in the Round of 16. Will they be able to maintain their momentum? Tuchel's team certainly has every reason to believe they can conquer any obstacle – and with confidence high, the Three Lions are ready to take on whatever comes next.