Anthony Barry played a pivotal role in England's victory over DR Congo, and his influence extended beyond the pitch. The decision to move Declan Rice to right-back was a key factor in the team's success.
Kane's first goal came after smart work from Rice on the byline, who chipped the ball over to Gordon, who found the skipper with his cross from the left. Rice's move to right-back was a result of Djed Spence's struggles against DR Congo, and it could be an option for England going forward.
England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, credited Barry with the idea of putting Rice at right-back, saying 'It's something to take away. Anthony Barry had a brilliant idea in the end, when we were discussing it to put Declan there.' Tuchel explained that the idea was to utilize Rice's quality from the side, get more difficult crosses in, and have a bit more support for Bukayo Saka.
Barry has become a vital part of Tuchel's staff with England and has been front and centre in the World Cup, conducting half-time interviews on TV. The 40-year-old began coaching before his playing days had ended at Accrington Stanley and got his first big move when he joined Chelsea under Frank Lampard in 2020.
Tuchel took over from Lampard and kept Barry on, developing their working relationship. Barry stayed with Chelsea while working internationally with Ireland, then Belgium, and then Portugal. He moved with Tuchel to Bayern Munich in April 2023 and came with him to the England job, starting in January 2025.
Tuchel and Barry will now have big decisions to make ahead of the clash with Mexico at the Azteca on Sunday. Will he risk losing Rice's influence in midfield to play him at right-back? Who will start on the wings after frustration for starters Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford against DR Congo?
Tuchel accepted that Mexico will have an advantage no matter who he picks, with the altitude at the Azteca a bonus for the home team. 'My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. It just takes too much time,' said Tuchel.
