Tuchel: England Deserved Win After Sulc Red Card

Thomas Tuchel said England's 2-0 win over Czechia turned in their favour the moment Pavel Sulc was sent off on 25 minutes, and that his side made the extra man count after the break.

"We played the second half professionally. We were more energetic, played faster and worked the ball better. We deserved the win in the second half. After their sending-off we became clear favourites. Keeping a clean sheet always matters — it gives everyone a good feeling. There is always something to work on, but overall it was a serious performance and a deserved win," Tuchel said.

Trent Alexander-Arnold supplied the assist, and Tuchel praised his contribution. "He did very well. He provided an excellent assist. Like everyone else, he showed professionalism and the right attitude, and he had a hand in the decisive moment," Tuchel said.

Asked about changes for the trip to Croatia, Tuchel would not commit either way. "I can't say. We have three days off, which makes a real difference compared with a two-games-in-quick-succession schedule. We've decided not to fly back to England but to stay in Prague one more night to rest properly, then travel to Croatia and hold two training sessions there. We'll do everything we can to have everyone available — hopefully including Nico O'Reilly and Ezri Konsa — and we'll see from there. The next match, against a direct rival, matters to us and we want to win it," Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live.

O'Reilly, a left-back who has been with the England squad since March 2026 without yet scoring for the side, was among the players Tuchel flagged as doubts for Zagreb. Tuchel named his squad for the Spain, Czechia and Croatia fixtures on 18 September, with Kane, Bellingham and Palmer all involved.

Croatia now sit as the direct rival Tuchel referred to, and how England manage the turnaround from Prague may decide whether that unbeaten run in this Nations League campaign continues.