Thomas Tuchel has confirmed England will follow Gareth Southgate's penalty shootout blueprint at the World Cup, as the Three Lions prepare to face DR Congo in the round of 32 in Atlanta. The match, which kicks off at 5pm BST on Wednesday, will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer.
Tuchel's side meet an African nation that held Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the tournament, and the prospect of a shootout looms large. England have a poor record in such high-pressure moments – winning just one of seven penalty shootouts before Southgate took charge in 2016. Under the former manager, meticulous planning turned that around: England won three out of four shootouts, including a famous victory over Colombia in 2018.
“Tuchel confirms England will use Southgate's penalty plan; faces DR Congo in World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday.”
“The FA has a programme that has been in place for years and we follow the programme,” Tuchel said. “We are prepared. We have a process, the players have a process.”
Yet the German acknowledged the limits of preparation. “I think it is difficult to simulate the situation,” he added. “I heard Thierry Henry say he can't remember the walk from the halfway line to the penalty spot in his first penalty shootout for France – you cannot train that.”
Southgate's method was built on clarity: penalties were not a lottery. Takers were decided well in advance, each assigned a “buddy” to greet them after the long walk back from the spot, sharing the pressure. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had notes on his water bottle from detailed research of opponents' likely penalty approaches. After the Euro 2020 final defeat, Southgate adjusted his approach to give penalty takers more time on the pitch before shootouts.
Asked whether players would be given the option to take a penalty, Tuchel replied: “We know who takes them and we know the order but we don't know who finishes the game.”
England go into the match with defensive injury concerns. Right-backs Jarrel Quansah and Reece James are definitely out, leaving Tuchel with a major selection issue. Djed Spence or Ezri Konsa could deputise. However, Tuchel believes both could be available for a potential last-16 tie with Mexico – if England get through. Declan Rice may return after missing the 2-0 win over Panama, and Bukayo Saka is fit after making his first start of the tournament last time out.
A defeat against DR Congo would trigger a major inquest, but Tuchel is drawing on his experience from Borussia Dortmund to avoid the fate of Germany or the Netherlands this week. England still have questions to answer after looking below their peak so far, but victory would set up a clash with either Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16.