Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a sublime first-half volley before late replacements combined to seal the points, as Phil Foden surged forward in a false-nine role to tee up Eberechi Eze for a exquisite curling finish into the far corner. The duo were part of a impactful quadruple change that also introduced Jude Bellingham, whose energetic cameo helped spark the decisive counter.

Tuchel expressed delight at how his substitutes transformed the game and revealed his fondness for cultivating a bench dynamic akin to South Africa's fabled "Bomb Squad" from rugby union.

"I have not named the bench differently, but I kind of like it," Tuchel said. "I like 'Bomb Squad' more than 'Finisher'. This is not about building a starting eleven, it is about building a team. They are all big players in their clubs, they are all used to playing, so disappointment is normal. But they buy into the idea of contributing when needed, and that is what we want."

England's flawless qualifying campaign, now seven wins from seven, all featuring clean sheets, marks them as the first European nation to achieve such a streak in World Cup history. Tuchel cautioned that even elite teams can stumble if they grow complacent.

"The big nations take it for granted until they do not make it," he said. "So for me it is important the players feel the appreciation from us. The work rate and effort in every match, whether it is a friendly against Wales or a game that does not affect qualification, has been outstanding."

England began tentatively against a Serbia side that reshaped defensively to stifle their hosts, but Saka's poise prevailed after a Declan Rice free-kick led to a poor punch from Predrag Rajkovic and a deflection off debutant left-back Nico O'Reilly, allowing the Arsenal winger to volley home crisply. Further opportunities arose before the interval, with Rice whipping in two dangerous set-pieces that Harry Kane and Morgan Rogers could not quite turn into goals.

Serbia mounted a brief response after the restart, as Dusan Vlahovic flicked a Filip Kostic cross wide of the far post, while substitute Lazar Samardzic later volleyed just astray, albeit from an offside position. Yet Foden's incisive run and Eze's composure in stoppage time extinguished any real danger, with Albania's 1-0 success away to Andorra simultaneously confirming Serbia's elimination from contention.

Tuchel emphasized that England's vitality and cohesion will be pivotal to their World Cup aspirations.

"The ones on the pitch know they can rely on everyone who comes from the bench," he said. "We just need everybody fully involved, especially mentally, to accept decisions and keep contributing. That is the only way forward."

Stellenbosch did South Africa proud, says head coach Steve Barker