In many moments England plays with two center forwards. Tuchel has pushed Jude Bellingham so far forward that his presence confuses the defenses, because he enters where only Harry Kane is expected. Both have taken advantage of that confusion to become one of the most prolific pairs in a World Cup.
Read more Messi, facing the challenge of the great symbol that England represents
England is the first team to have two players who have scored six goals. Brazil never dared so much. Neither in 1958 with Pelé (6 goals) and Vavá (5), nor in 2002, when Ronaldo celebrated eight goals (two of them in the final) and Rivaldo reached five goals. They, however, won the World Cup.
In both cases Brazil won the World Cup
Pelé and Vavá scored six and five goals for Brazil in 1958 and Ronaldo celebrated eight goals and Rivaldo, five, in 2002
Two other teams had combined tandems with five goals each, but they did not win the trophy: Hungary, runner-up in 1938, with Sárosi (5) and Zsengeller (5), and Poland, third in 1974, with Lato (7) and Szarmach (5).
Read more Deschamps points to the referee but surrenders to Spain: “They have forced us to defend”
If the Bayern forward came back against DR Congo, against Mexico and Norway it was the Real Madrid attacking midfielder who scored braces. Argentina will have to worry a lot about that English tactic and there is even talk of bringing in a third center back to better defend and contain the duo. That said, the English dependence means that, excluding them, only Rashford has a goal. Anthony Gordon has not even debuted.
Read more Rajoy now appeals to «good humor» after stating that the French team plays «without French players»
