Alan Shearer calls out two England stars after Panama win as Thomas Tuchel left furious




Alan Shearer has criticised Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka after England laboured to a 2-0 victory over Panama to seal top spot in their World Cup group.Thomas Tuchel’s side eventually got the job done in New Jersey, with Jude Bellingham again proving decisive by scoring the opener before setting up Harry Kane in the second half.But England were far from convincing for long periods at the MetLife Stadium, with Tuchel visibly frustrated on the touchline as his players struggled to break down stubborn opposition.The Three Lions boss was seen issuing instructions to Kane inside the opening few minutes before turning his attention to Rashford and Saka during the first-half hydration break.Both wingers had been brought into the starting XI after England’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Ghana, but Shearer felt neither did enough to justify their inclusion during a flat opening half.”I haven’t seen the stats but I can see it with my eyes that Rashford and Saka have been involved in a lot of what England have done but they haven’t done enough with it,” Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live.”It’s been really disappointing from the first 10 minutes when we moved the ball with purpose and I expected us to carry that on but that hasn’t been the case.”Alan Shearer has criticised Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka after England laboured to a 2-0 victory over Panama to seal top spot in their World Cup group | GETTYEngland had to dig deep to see off Panama in Saturday night’s World Cup clash | GETTYEngland had started brightly but quickly slipped into familiar bad habits, moving the ball too slowly and failing to show enough imagination in the final third.It was a performance that followed a similar pattern to their previous group matches.Tuchel’s side needed time to find rhythm in the 4-2 win over Croatia before then struggling badly against Ghana’s low defensive block.England’s record at the World Cup | GETTY/ GB NEWSPanama also made life awkward, particularly in the first half, with England again lacking fluency in wide areas despite dominating possession.Gary Neville echoed Shearer’s concerns on ITV, claiming England’s attacking play was too predictable and warning Tuchel may need to change approach in the knockout stages.”We lack subtlety, creativity and innovation. The players in wide areas, the final part of their game has been really poor,” Neville said.”We are struggling badly to break them down. He may have to bring on two strikers and do something different.”Roy Keane was similarly unimpressed, accusing England’s biggest names of failing to impose themselves before Bellingham finally dragged the match away from Panama.”England seem to have been dragged down to their level,” Keane said. “Their top players haven’t turned up.”Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham struck as England defeated Panama | PABellingham, however, once again stood apart from the rest.The Real Madrid midfielder produced the moment of quality England desperately needed before later crossing for Kane to head home and make the result safe.The victory means England move into the knockout stages as group winners, with DR Congo up next. Looking ahead, Tuchel stated: “There is more to build on.”You have to get so many details right and it’s an aggressive approach we take.”The tournament starts again now, it’s knockouts. Now we collect our strengths, collect our energy, build on what we have, the team spirit, the fighting spirit, the belief, and we will step up.”