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England v DR Congo | World Cup Round of 32 | 1 July 2026

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Comments

  • AndyG
    AndyG Posts: 6,435
    DamoNorthStand said:
    Team I would play for Mexico:

    Pickford
    James (if fit - Konsa if not)
    Stones
    Guehi
    O Reilly
    Anderson (though am tempted by Mainoo)
    Rice
    Saka
    Bellingham
    Gordon
    Kane
    I would be tempted to play rice at RB and bring Mainoo into the middle with Anderson. He looked good today when he went to RB had a big hand in our first goal plus he might organise our back line a bit it definitely needs someone too
  • MrOneLung
    MrOneLung Posts: 27,958
    I wouldn’t 
  • DamoNorthStand
    DamoNorthStand Posts: 12,804
    I think Reece James will start.
  • Sword65pf
    Sword65pf Posts: 1,984
    I find it strange the size of the squad and amount of players that don’t get game time it’s would be worth a few wildcards (different profile players to change things) but tuchel has just gone for like for like replacements, and then neglected positions, Harry Kane proper saved him tonight, I’m still not convinced by Tuchel one bit.
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 18,402
    Genuinely believe our best lineup would be

    Pickford
    Rice Rice Rice Rice
    Rice Rice
    Bellingham
    Saka Kane Gordon
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 18,402
    jimmymelrose said:
    Due to my lack of appreciation of the Royal Family, I sing the anthem with the words 'God Save Harry Kane.' I invite all England fans to do likewise. You know it makes sense.
    What if you're an atheist as well? 🤣
  • Croydon
    Croydon Posts: 13,526
    ValleyGary said:
    I’m hoping this is the trigger to believe we are good enough, but Mexico at 8k above sea level seems a step too far 
    We'll deal with them. They've played no one decent.
  • Croydon
    Croydon Posts: 13,526
    On reflection if their keeper hadn't have had a blinder first half we would have been comfortably in front. Though if they had scored a second when they hit the post from close range, I'm not sure we would have come back.

    It's a game of moments and fortunately we have a player like Kane to dig us out when we need it most.

    Atlanta is a wicked city as well, and they have really taken to hosting the occasion
    Now for a weekend of kicking myself that I didn't book up Mexico City! 
  • Callumcafc
    Callumcafc Posts: 66,698
    After today, England have now won more knockout football matches at World Cups and Euros since 2018 than they managed between 1950 and 2017.
  • lordromford
    lordromford Posts: 8,604
    Mr. Happy said:
    lordromford said:
    sam3110 said:
    First world cup knockout game we've come from behind to win since the '66 final
    I’m sure we were losing against Cameroon and came back to win 3-2 in 1990. Or am I misremembering?
    Stat probably meaning without extra time I'd suspect 
    Well, someone needs to point out to whoever came up with that stat that the final in ‘66 went to extra time too.

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  • DamoNorthStand
    DamoNorthStand Posts: 12,804
    Croydon said:
    ValleyGary said:
    I’m hoping this is the trigger to believe we are good enough, but Mexico at 8k above sea level seems a step too far 
    We'll deal with them. They've played no one decent.

    They still won’t after they’ve played us 
  • Chunes
    Chunes Posts: 18,547
    Mexico haven't lost at the Azteca since 2013. I can't see us overcoming the altitude.
  • Exiled_Addick
    Exiled_Addick Posts: 17,818
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    Team I would play for Mexico:

    Pickford
    James (if fit - Konsa if not)
    Stones
    Guehi
    O Reilly
    Anderson (though am tempted by Mainoo)
    Rice
    Saka
    Bellingham
    Gordon
    Kane
    I would be tempted to play rice at RB and bring Mainoo into the middle with Anderson. He looked good today when he went to RB had a big hand in our first goal plus he might organise our back line a bit it definitely needs someone too
    I’d be more worried about how utterly shagged Rice looked by the time he came off. Not sure it’s a good idea to ask him to try and be an overlapping fullback at this stage. I’d be more wondering if we could risk resting him completely. Perhaps going with Bellingham and one of Rogers or Eze again. 
  • stoneroses19
    stoneroses19 Posts: 7,714
    edited July 2
    Exiled_Addick said:
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    Team I would play for Mexico:

    Pickford
    James (if fit - Konsa if not)
    Stones
    Guehi
    O Reilly
    Anderson (though am tempted by Mainoo)
    Rice
    Saka
    Bellingham
    Gordon
    Kane
    I would be tempted to play rice at RB and bring Mainoo into the middle with Anderson. He looked good today when he went to RB had a big hand in our first goal plus he might organise our back line a bit it definitely needs someone too
    I’d be more worried about how utterly shagged Rice looked by the time he came off. Not sure it’s a good idea to ask him to try and be an overlapping fullback at this stage. I’d be more wondering if we could risk resting him completely. Perhaps going with Bellingham and one of Rogers or Eze again. 
    Rice covered a total of 14km against Congo, no wonder he looked knackered, immense amount of distance covered, while also having a 96% pass accuracy. 

    There’s no chance we can rest him against Mexico, we need him. Just hope he gets all the rest he needs over the next few days. 
  • Rothko
    Rothko Posts: 19,366
    Chunes said:
    Mexico haven't lost at the Azteca since 2013. I can't see us overcoming the altitude.
    They haven’t played anyone in a competitive game there who you would consider top 20, lots of meh concacaf games and friendlies. They’ve drawn a lot there, so no, I wouldn’t be as fearful as some are 
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 21,823
    Chunes said:
    Mexico haven't lost at the Azteca since 2013. I can't see us overcoming the altitude.
    I can't abide all this negativity. We are England - bollocks to the Mexicans. We are in this World Cup until we're not - and hopefully that's after winning the final.

    Three Cheers for Ramirez, anyone?


  • cabbles
    cabbles Posts: 15,711
    I’ve been net positive on England since 2018 now, but I thought it was awful last night.  It was like a throw back to the 2014/16 debacles.  

    The shape just looks off.  I think what frustrated me the most is that DRC showed up with hunger, desire, togetherness and were right up for it.  I’m sat there watching a bunch of players who hadn’t even realised they’re in a football game.

    Madueke’s presence is beyond comprehension.  I cannot believe we’ve let someone this poor have such a prominent role.  I get managers always have players they gravitate toward that a lot of people question, but this guy hasn’t even had much of an impact domestically.  I’d take Hail & Pace down the right hand side ahead of those two.  

    At half time Tuchel had 45 mins to save his job imo.  Based on who he’s chosen and how he’s set up so far, I don’t think he knows what he’s doing.  It may get better, but at this rate, we’ll be lucky to get through one more match
  • ValleyGary
    ValleyGary Posts: 38,718
    We’ve got Harry Kane. That’s all that matters….
  • The Red Robin
    The Red Robin Posts: 28,194
    Callumcafc said:
    Bellingham’s reaction to Kane’s second goal. Dropped to his knees in relief.
    Probably pleased he didn’t have to rescue England again. 
  • Elthamaddick
    Elthamaddick Posts: 16,437
    got away with it......for the Mexico game I'd go with


                                  Pickford 

    Konsa                 Stones              Guehi              O'Reilly

                            Rice                  Anderson
                                   Bellingham

    Rashford                                                         Gordon
                                      Kane


    good case for me though to change the keeper - don't rate Pickford.
    Can't play Rice at RB (he looks knackered) wouldn't mind Mainoo coming in for him
    Maduake is just crap and Saka clearly isn't fit - could go with Rogers on either side to start as well and maybe save Gordon as an impact sub

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  • soapboxsam
    soapboxsam Posts: 24,027
    ValleyGary said:
    We’ve got Harry Kane. That’s all that matters….

    And you, good yeoman,

    Whose limbs were made in England, show us here

    The mettle of your pasture; let us swear

    That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;

    For there is none of you so mean and base,

    That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

    I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

    Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:

    Follow your spirit, and upon this charge

    We have Kane and able Bellingham.

    Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

  • Redskin
    Redskin Posts: 3,194
    aliwibble said:
    jimmymelrose said:
    Due to my lack of appreciation of the Royal Family, I sing the anthem with the words 'God Save Harry Kane.' I invite all England fans to do likewise. You know it makes sense.
    Doesn't scan, you need an extra syllable in the first and second lines, and one less in the third.
    Just stick an 'our' in front of the 'Harry'.
  • thickandthin63
    thickandthin63 Posts: 3,144
    robroy said:
    Of all the players to leave at home….Gibbs-White is unforgivable IMO
    I absolutely agree,he was scoring for fun at Forest and running teams off their feet,no justification in putting Henderson in ahead of him,dont understand it.
  • DennisBooth
    DennisBooth Posts: 226
    Apart from Croatia it has surprised me how lacking in creative play we have looked under Tuchel. Let us be honest when our defence comes up against a decent attacking team we are going to be taught a lesson. Konsa and Spence are not good enough. Why was Trent and Hall left out of the squad. I think Mexico will be the end of the road for us. 

  • letthegoodtimesroll
    letthegoodtimesroll Posts: 11,447
    edited July 2
    It’s a tough watch when you concede an early goal and your defence isn’t inspiring you with confidence but this England squad is proving itself to be resilient and will keep going. We’ve also now had 4 very tough matches with no easy games so far. That may well be the difference that some teams who have had an easier path so far will not be able to match. 

    Next up Mexico, another tough match for various reasons though not necessarily because they are a better team than England and that along with its so far ‘cosseted’ fans have yet to be equally tested on the route to this stage. 
  • KBslittlesis
    KBslittlesis Posts: 9,178
    I really hope they’ve had some altitude tents to prepare them for what’s to come.
    Doing anything at high altitude when you’re not used to it is so hard and you never react to it the same way either.
    Having said that, once they’re back down, they’ll be buzzing. So if by some miracle they do it…………🤩
  • soapboxsam
    soapboxsam Posts: 24,027
    I would be amazed if England are still in the WC after Mexico in Mexico City and then probably Brazil in Miami.

    My fears about Pickford which I said before the 1st game, as well as some odd selections at full back would make England the underdogs from now on but maybe that will suit England rather than being massive favourites against Congo.

  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 20,174
    KBslittlesis said:
    I really hope they’ve had some altitude tents to prepare them for what’s to come.
    Doing anything at high altitude when you’re not used to it is so hard and you never react to it the same way either.
    Having said that, once they’re back down, they’ll be buzzing. So if by some miracle they do it…………🤩
    Supposedly there’s two ways to best adapt, go early and get used to it or go as late as possible so your body isn’t trying to adapt too much 
  • cafcnick1992
    cafcnick1992 Posts: 7,814
    England vs Mexico at the Azteca is a proper game though. Can't wait!
  • Karim_myBagheri
    Karim_myBagheri Posts: 14,273
    fenaddick said:
    KBslittlesis said:
    I really hope they’ve had some altitude tents to prepare them for what’s to come.
    Doing anything at high altitude when you’re not used to it is so hard and you never react to it the same way either.
    Having said that, once they’re back down, they’ll be buzzing. So if by some miracle they do it…………🤩
    Supposedly there’s two ways to best adapt, go early and get used to it or go as late as possible so your body isn’t trying to adapt too much 
    Turn up as the whistle blows.. 

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