England won, but Thomas Tuchel wasn’t pleased. Even after a 3-0 victory over Wales at Wembley, the coach left the field irritated by the crowd’s behavior. The team settled the match early with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Bukayo Saka in the first 20 minutes, yet the stadium stayed quiet. “We had an excellent first half, we could’ve been up 4-0 by halftime. But the stadium was silent, we didn’t get any energy from the stands,” Tuchel said. For him, what was missing was the connection that usually drives the national team at home.
Match decided, stands in silence
England dominated the first half, created chances, and controlled the pace with ease. Still, the atmosphere in the stands felt flat. Many fans started leaving before the final whistle, while the Welsh supporters kept cheering until the end. The contrast in energy caught attention and reinforced Tuchel’s frustration. “What more can you give to the fans? Twenty minutes, three goals, and the team still didn’t get the support it deserved,” he said.
The friendly had everything to be calm and symbolic, but it ended with a sense of disconnect. The lack of reaction in the stands made the coach see a problem that can’t be solved with goals alone. For him, the team needs to play well and also feel that there’s something coming back from the crowd.
A team rebuilding under pressure
Since taking over last October, Tuchel has been trying to balance performance and stability. England has gone through a recent cycle of strong results but no trophies. The team reached the 2018 World Cup semifinals, fell in the 2022 quarterfinals, and finished runner-up in the last two Euros. The numbers are solid, but the reward hasn’t come.
The win over Wales worked as both a technical and tactical test, but it also revealed something delicate: the lack of excitement surrounding the national team. Tuchel wants his players to keep winning and to regain the crowd’s support. And despite his public criticism, the group is showing progress. With 15 points, England leads Group K in the European qualifiers and faces Latvia on October 14 away from home.
Favorites ahead, but confidence growing
Tuchel didn’t hold back when assessing the next World Cup’s landscape. He sees Brazil, Argentina, and Spain as the main favorites but believes England can be competitive. “I consider Brazil, Argentina, and Spain the top favorites. I consider us challengers,” he said.
The English team continues its process without rushing but with clear goals. The pressure is part of the job, especially in a country where soccer is lived intensely. England can return to competing among the elite, not only for its talent but for its ability to deliver what the coach demands most: energy, on and off the field.