England’s dramatic comeback
England secured a dramatic victory against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in a World Cup last-32 tie, with captain Harry Kane scoring two late goals to ensure progression. The match, held in Atlanta, saw England fall behind in the seventh minute after Brian Cipenga opened the scoring. This marked the first time since the 1966 final against West Germany that England won a World Cup game after conceding first.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed pride in his team’s resilience, comparing Kane’s predatory instinct to that of a shark. Tuchel noted that the team’s refusal to accept defeat, even when things were difficult, made him very proud. He highlighted the determination and belief shown by the players, stating they played with the right attitude and trusted their spirit.
Kane’s equaliser came in the 75th minute, followed by the winning goal with just four minutes remaining. These crucial strikes set up a last-16 encounter against Mexico. The England captain now has five goals from four appearances in the tournament, placing him in contention for the Golden Boot alongside players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland.
Key contributions and tactical adjustments
Anthony Gordon, who came on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford after the hour mark, played a pivotal role in England’s comeback, creating both of Kane’s goals. Tuchel also made other impactful substitutions, including bringing on Eberechi Eze for Djed Spence, which saw Declan Rice move to right-back. This tactical shift contributed to a more effective attacking setup, with Eze providing width on the right and helping Bukayo Saka connect in play.
Tuchel conveyed a consistent message to his players throughout the match: to keep pushing and believing. He observed that the players remained free from anxiety and played with determination, refusing to give in. The coach felt that the team did not need complex tactical changes, as the players were invested and clear in their approach.
Kane’s performance drew significant praise from teammates and coaches alike. Jude Bellingham described Kane as an inspiration, while Gordon lauded his consistency and high-level play, noting that Kane’s current season has only been surpassed by Lionel Messi. Kane’s leadership and ability to decide matches with his finishing were also highlighted by Tuchel.
Looking ahead to Mexico
England’s next challenge will be against Mexico in the Azteca Stadium. This fixture presents several obstacles, most notably the altitude, which is approximately 2,200 metres above sea level. Tuchel acknowledged that physical adaptation to such conditions is impossible in a short timeframe, but expressed confidence in his team’s readiness.
The Azteca Stadium is known for its challenging environment, with Mexico having a strong home record, losing only two of their last 88 competitive games there. They also boast a record of 70 wins in 89 competitive games and have gone 10 World Cup matches unbeaten in the stadium. England’s previous World Cup memories at the Azteca include the 1986 quarter-final defeat against Argentina.
Despite the daunting task, Tuchel believes the team has a platform to genuinely believe in their capabilities. The team is focused on recovery ahead of their early travel to Mexico City for the match on Monday.
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Source: theguardian.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”