How Thomas Tuchel’s fury at one England player saved them from stunning World Cup exit vs DR Congo

Thomas Tuchel’s heated exchange with the England star may have changed everything England’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo will be remembered for Harry Kane’s late brace, but one animated moment on the touchline could prove just as significant. Television cameras caught Thomas Tuchel in a furious exchange with right-back Djed Spence shortly before the England manager made the substitution that transformed the Round of 32 contest and ultimately helped keep the Three Lions’ World Cup hopes alive.England arrived at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as overwhelming favorites to progress to the round of 16, but Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute goal turned the tide. For more than an hour, DR Congo defended resolutely as goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi frustrated England with a series of crucial saves, leaving Tuchel searching for a solution as his side edged closer to shock elimination.

Tuchel’s frustration boiled over before England’s change of tactics

As England continued to struggle for rhythm, Tuchel’s frustration became increasingly visible. Just after the hour mark, television cameras showed the England manager animatedly gesturing and shouting instructions at Djed Spence, who had started at right-back after injuries ruled Reece James and Jarell Quansah out of the knockout stages.Spence endured another difficult night after a mixed tournament and Tuchel’s visible reaction quickly became a topic of discussion among fans watching the match.One supporter wrote on X:“What did Tuchel really expect from Djed Spence?”The same post continued:“Defensively, he’s a hindrance and he’s terrible going forward.Questioning whether the defender has done enough to keep his place in the side, another fan wrote:“Hopefully that’s the end of the Djed Spence experiment for England, nothing against the lad but he’s not an international player. He can’t start against the better teams.”With England slumping and time running out, Tuchel decided a tactical change was needed.

The substitution changes the dynamic as Kane delivers

Around 10 minutes into the heated exchange, Tuchel withdrew Spence and introduced Eberechi Eze, making one of the decisive decisions of the evening.This alternation caused a change in the arrangement of the whole of England. Instead of introducing a similar replacement at right-back, Tuchel moved Declan Rice into a defensive role, allowing Eze to operate more forward and provide more creativity in the attacking third.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

The impact was almost immediate.Just four minutes after the change, England finally found the breakthrough they had been chasing all game. Anthony Gordon delivered an enticing cross from the left and Harry Kane broke away from his keeper to head past Lionel Mpasi to level the scores in the 75th minute.Although Eze didn’t register a goal or assist, his introduction injected new energy into England’s attack, while Rice’s move to right-back helped stabilize a wing that had struggled for much of the match. The tactical adjustment changed England’s attacking balance and coincided with the period when Tuchel’s side finally overcame the Congolese resistance.England now progress to the round of 16 with co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on July 6, but Tuchel’s squad selection is likely to be re-examined ahead of that fixture. With James and Quansah still recovering from injury, the debate over England’s right-back position is expected to continue, while Eze’s influential cameo has strengthened the case for a first start at the 2026 World Cup as the Three Lions prepare for their biggest test of the tournament to date.