England secured top spot in Group L with a win over Panama, but the performance raised serious questions about their ability to go deep in this World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel insisted before the tournament that his side would grow with the occasion, a claim that will be severely tested in the knockout rounds ahead.
England finished the group stage with two wins from three games, setting up a last-32 clash against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday at 17:00 BST.
“It was hard work,” Tuchel told BBC Sport. “We were ready for that. I said we so often get carried away with our expectations and what we demand of ourselves.”
“We demanded to win the group and this is the day we did this. I encouraged everyone to enjoy it and take it in.”
“We are at the World Cup. We won the group. I know our expectations. I know our dream. I know we can do better, but everyone who pushed and the players and staff deserves to go to the plane with a smile.”
Jude Bellingham was the standout performer at New York New Jersey Stadium, forcing home the opener before crossing for Harry Kane to head England’s second goal.
Kane’s header made him England’s leading World Cup finals scorer with 11 goals, moving one ahead of Gary Lineker with that decisive contribution.
Bellingham’s place in the starting eleven had been questioned before the tournament, with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers pushing hard for inclusion following his outstanding club form.
Tuchel’s decision to keep faith with Bellingham has been fully vindicated across both victories against Croatia and Panama, with the midfielder central to each win.
Marcus Rashford also made a strong case for continued selection, providing England’s brightest moments in the first half after being handed a start ahead of Anthony Gordon.
“We tried and tried. Marcus was just unlucky,” Tuchel said. “He is pushing and pushing like always. Every time I bring him on, he is super reliable.”
Panama, ranked 42nd in the world, caused England significant problems for long periods and registered 13 attempts on target before a late Jose Fajardo consolation was narrowly ruled out for offside.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney identified the defensive unit as a primary concern, telling BBC Sport: “The area of the pitch you want stability in is your goalkeeper and back four. With the back four we haven’t had that.”
Reece James suffered yet another hamstring injury during the tournament, with Tuchel drawing criticism for suggesting “no-one saw that coming” given the 26-year-old’s lengthy injury history.
Jarell Quansah, a central defender by trade, was deployed at right-back before himself going off injured, leaving Djed Spence as the only recognised option in that position.
The situation inevitably drew attention back to Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Real Madrid defender whom Tuchel has effectively pushed into international exile despite his natural quality at right-back.
Former England captain Alan Shearer was measured in his assessment, saying on BBC Radio 5 Live: “We’re yet to see whether he will regret those decisions. We will only know that when we go in against better opposition.”
Declan Rice, rested against Panama while managing a hamstring issue and a yellow card, is expected to return for the DR Congo game and his presence will provide crucial defensive protection.
Tuchel described the upcoming knockout phase as “chapter three” of England’s campaign, saying: “The tournament starts new again. We had the first chapter in prep camp, the second chapter in the group, and the third chapter is coming.”
England will need significant defensive improvement if they are to fulfil Tuchel’s ambitions and end the country’s wait for a first major men’s trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
