Thomas Tuchel's England secured a vital 2-0 victory against Serbia in their Euro 2026 qualifying campaign, with the German manager particularly praising the impact of his substitutes in turning the game around.
Second Half Changes Prove Decisive
The match at Wembley Stadium on Thursday evening saw England struggle to break down a resilient Serbian defence until Tuchel made crucial changes. The deadlock was finally broken in the 74th minute when substitute Cole Palmer converted from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down in the area.
England's victory was sealed just eight minutes later when another substitute, Eberechi Eze, found the net with a composed finish. The Crystal Palace midfielder had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes before making his mark on the game.
Tuchel Hails Squad Depth and Mentality
The England manager was effusive in his praise for the players who came off the bench to change the game. "We're building a team, not just a starting eleven," Tuchel emphasised in his post-match comments. "The mentality and quality shown by the substitutes today was exactly what we needed."
Tuchel specifically highlighted the contributions of Palmer, Eze, and Gordon, noting that their energy and fresh legs made the crucial difference against a tiring Serbian side. This victory maintains England's perfect start to their qualifying campaign and puts them in a strong position to reach the finals in two years' time.
What This Means for England's Future
The performance demonstrated the increasing depth available to the England manager, with several players making compelling cases for more regular involvement. The ability to change games from the bench has been a recurring theme in successful international teams, and Tuchel appears to be cultivating this strength within his squad.
England's next qualifying match will see them face Switzerland as they continue their journey towards Euro 2026. Based on this performance, fans can expect to see Tuchel continuing to utilise his entire squad rather than relying solely on established starters.
The manager's willingness to trust in his substitutes and make bold changes during matches suggests a tactical flexibility that could prove crucial in tournament football. As the qualifying campaign progresses, this squad depth may become England's greatest asset.
