Tuchel said: “I told them that my perception of them and of the last 17 days will not change because of this result.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
England manager Thomas Tuchel has disclosed details of his half-time team talk that ultimately led to a 4-2 defeat of Croatia in the Three Lions’ opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup.
England, despite taking the lead twice in the first half of the intriguing encounter, went into the break level at 2-2.
Harry Kane’s retaken penalty had given them the initial lead, before Martin Baturina’s powerful drive leveled for Croatia in the 36th minute.
The Bayern Munich striker then got his team ahead again in the 42nd minute, only for Petar Musa to find a quick equalizer for Zlatko Dalic’s side.
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However, in the second half, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford ensured Tuchel’s men took all three points after finding the net in the 47th and 85th minutes respectively.
Revealing what transpired in the dressing room at half-time, Tuchel said he told his players to calm their nerves and continue to play in their regular style.
He said: “I sat down with them. I gave them quiet time for themselves. I told them to calm down.
“We just conceded a goal. [I told them to] calm down, calm their nerves, and encourage them to do it our way.
“I told them that my perception of them and of the last 17 days will not change because of this result.”
