Skipper Harry Kane has acknowledged that England “can find another gear” as they chase a first World Cup title since 1966.
The Three Lions required extra time to see off Norway 2-1 on Saturday, booking a semi-final in Atlanta against Argentina on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
After the quarter-final, head coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he was not satisfied with the display, calling his side “fortunate”, “untidy”, guilty of “a string of technical errors” and “too slow, not repeating our work often enough”.
Kane, 32, has scored six times in this competition and sits level with Jude Bellingham as England’s joint leading marksman.
The captain believes Tuchel’s irritation comes from the team failing to carry their training displays into matches.
“When he watches us train and sees the bond we share, sees what we are capable of — particularly with the talent we possess, the way we go forward, our one-on-one situations and flair — he just wants to see that version of us out on the pitch,” Kane added.
“He knows as well as anyone that it is never that simple; we are up against strong opponents and quality sides.
“He is trying to coax it out of us, and we are aware ourselves that there is another level we can hit.
“We have not seen it yet, only in brief moments. That was the case against Norway — it appeared only in flashes. We have not achieved the full command we would like, and I feel we are able to do that.
“We are about to face one of the strongest teams on the planet in the semi-final, so the most satisfying thing is that we are in the last four and still sense we can get better.
“But I do not think this is something to get overly carried away about. We are showing plenty of promising things.”
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