‘Why not take advantage?’ – did hydration breaks spark England comeback?Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, England boss Thomas Tuchel spoke to all his players during both hydration breaksByGary RoseBBC Sport journalistPublished24 minutes agoWhen the first hydration break took place in Wednesday’s World Cup last-32 match between England and DR Congo, the customary boos could be heard from the fans.While the majority of jeers were for something that has been viewed with negativity among supporters at this tournament, some of them will have been for England’s performance too at that stage.But did the much-maligned splitting of the match into effectively quarters actually become something that helped England?Thomas Tuchel’s side were a goal down in the seventh minute and playing poorly. The first hydration break offered the German coach a much-needed opportunity to speak to his players and regroup.The second also sparked late pressure as Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to secure a 2-1 win for the Three Lions and a place in the last 16, where they will face co-hosts Mexico.”I don’t agree with them but it has come at the right time for England,” former England striker Alan Shearer stated on Match of the Day after the first break. “You can see Thomas Tuchel going around all his players because not one of them has put in a performance yet.”It has been slow, too many errors, they’ve been too open and been punished. It has to get better.”It did get better, but how did Tuchel use the breaks and how did it England?A heavily jeered $250m goldmine – are hydration break ads here to stay?
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Published19 June
