Did World Cup Hydration Breaks Help England Turnaround Against DR Congo?

When 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 said 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?

Before the first hydration break England's statistics - as well as their performance - were poor.

They had zero shots and touches inside box before the break, but improved afterwards with eight shots and 20 touches in the area by half-time.

It was a similar story in the second half, where the hydration break seemed to prompt an upturn in England's performance.

They had two shots on goal and seven touches in the box before the three-minute break but then six shots and 13 touches after, with Kane scoring the two crucial goals.

During both hydration breaks, Tuchel gathered his team around him and was animated in giving instructions, with the players nodding their head in agreement at what was being said.

"I make the most of it," said Tuchel. "You know I don't really love them.

"I enjoy football more when it plays out with momentum and players and teams have to find their way into it in these kind of momentums. It is a free-flowing game that is more interrupted than I thought.

"But they are here, why would I not try and take advantage? I felt today it was easier today to speak to players, they were very calm, very receptive.

"Sometimes the water breaks can be a bit chaotic, everyone tries to encourage, everyone has a message, everyone tries to help.

"I felt them quite calm and quite focused in the key moments."

England pushed more players forward after the second hydration break, were finding more space on the flanks and played with more urgency as DR Congo visibly tired.

"At times it can sort of change the momentum and give you a bit of time to breathe," added forward Eberechi Eze.

"Of course, we were on the better side of it this time, but it's part of the game."

While many coaches at the World Cup have, like Tuchel, seen the usefulness of the breaks, even if they still don't like the idea of them, fans remain unconvinced.

The main criticism is they feel it is the game getting further commercialised, with a number of broadcasters taking the opportunity to show advertisements during breaks.

Some also have issues with them taking place when the temperatures are not too bad or in air-conditioned stadiums, although Fifa stated before the tournament they would happen in every game to maintain continuity.

"I am not sure it was," said one England supporter in Atlanta leaving the stadium when asked if the hydration breaks played their part in the turnaround.

"They just figured it out in the last 20 minutes, that it would be the end for the next four years.

"I think that was what was on their minds, that they can't go out like this. Maybe that is what was more in their heads."

Another supporter said: "The hydration break depends on how your team is doing in the moment - one game you might say it is good for you and another you might say it is bad.

"It is something that is definitely a factor in this tournament and can change momentum forwards and backwards."

Another supporter said they were a fan of the breaks - regardless of whether they help teams tactically or not.

"It helps all the teams," he said.

"All the games we have watched the hydration break changes the game, it gives the coaches the chance to change the game. I like them."