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2026 World Cup Player Ratings and Match Highlights

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England have survived a scare from DR Congo to set up a mouth-watering Mexico City reunion.

Harry Kane inspired England to a dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dragging the Three Lions from the brink of elimination after Brian Cipenga’s early strike had stunned everyone in attendance.

Thomas Tuchel’s side toiled for over an hour against a disciplined and fearless Congolese outfit before two second-half goals turned the tie in their favour, setting up a round of 16 date with hosts Mexico in the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, going into Monday morning.

England Player Ratings vs DR Congo

Player

Rating

Jordan Pickford

6

Djed Spence

5

Ezri Konsa

7

Marc Guéhi

7

Nico O’Reilly

6

Elliot Anderson

6

Declan Rice

7

Noni Madueke

7

Jude Bellingham

7.5

Marcus Rashford

6.5

Harry Kane

9.5

Anthony Gordon (sub)

8.5

Bukayo Saka (sub)

7

Eberechi Eze (sub)

6

Congo Player Ratings vs England

Player

Rating

Lionel Mpasi

8.5

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

7.5

Chancel Mbemba

7.5

Axel Tuanzebe

6.5

Arthur Masuaku

6

Ngal’ayel Mukau

6

Samuel Moutoussamy

6.5

Noah Sadiki

6

Nathanaël Mbuku

6

Yoane Wissa

7

Brian Cipenga

7.5

Meschack Elia (sub)

6

Kane’s Brace Ends Congo Resistance

Harry Kane Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Kane was the difference in a game England had barely any right to win. Held at bay bay for the best part of 70 minutes, the captain finally broke through in the 75th, nodding home Anthony Gordon’s cross to level matters. He struck again soon after, latching onto a second Gordon assist to fire beyond Lionel Mpasi and move to 13 World Cup goals, overtaking Pele in the all-time charts.

Spence Errors Punished, Anthony Gordon Changes the Game

England's Djed Spence
England’s Djed Spence

Djed Spence endured a difficult afternoon deputising at right-back, badly caught out for Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener as Congo exploited the space in behind the Three Lions. England were sluggish for long spells, before Tuchel’s introduction of Gordon and Saka on the hour mark injected the pace and directness that had been missing, with Gordon in particular proving the catalyst for the late turnaround.

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Thomas Tuchel Went Ballistic at Djed Spence During England vs DR Congo

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An apoplectic Thomas Tuchel lost his head at one of his England players during the nervy 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo.

The Three Lions needed Harry Kane to come up with a brace to beat the spirited African nation, who led for 75 minutes. Brian Cipenga gave the Congolese a shock lead in the seventh minute, and Tuchel’s men were poor during the first half.

Kane’s first goal came in the 75th minute when he met Anthony Gordon’s cross with a superb header. The Bayern Munich frontman then fired home an 86th-minute winner to send his country through to the last 16 of the World Cup where they meet Mexico on Monday.

England got the job done, but there are now widespread debates over who should start at the Azteca. Judging by Tuchel’s reaction during the game, he might be about to wield the axe on one of his starters.

England 2-1 DR Congo: Tuchel Furious With Spence

Thomas Tuchel during the 2026 World Cup game between England and Ghana REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

With England chasing the game on the hour mark, frustration was written all over Tuchel’s face. He lost his temper at Djed Spence while shouting orders to the Tottenham Hotspur man.

Spence started the game at right-back due to the injury crisis, which has seen Tino Livramento withdraw from the squad. Reece James is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, limiting Tuchel’s options.

Tuchel opted to bring Spence off minutes after his angry outburst at the Spurs star, who is being used as a makeshift right-back. It’s raised doubts over the 25-year-old continuing in the starting lineup ahead of the trip to the Azteca to face Mexico.

You can watch the incident involving Tuchel and Spence below:

This isn’t the first time Tuchel has lost his patience with Spence, as he angrily ordered the full-back to ‘give and go’ in the 0-0 stalemate against Ghana. His decision to pick the Spurs defender in his 26-man squad caused debate before the tournament and there are now question marks over his place in the starting lineup.

England’s Right-Back Dilemma

Djed Spence (England) vs DR Congo at World Cup Brett Davis via Action Images via Reuters

England headed into the tournament with two right-backs selected as Livramento and James made Tuchel’s 26-man squad. That’s despite the pair enduring recurring injuries in recent seasons and concerns about their fitness for the World Cup.

Tuchel claimed that nobody saw James’ hamstring injury coming, which surprised many English fans who are well aware of his injury record. The Chelsea captain rarely plays more than once a week for his club, and his injury is a massive blow.

Livramento withdrew ahead of the opening 4-2 win over Croatia due to a calf injury. Instead of calling up Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel turned to Trevoh Chalobah, a decision that has proven costly.

Jarell Quansah is another option for Tuchel, as the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back can play at right-back. But he, too, missed the DR Congo win due to a twisted ankle sustained in the 2-0 win against Panama last Saturday.

Tuchel has a big decision to make for the encounter with Mexico on Monday and whether to continue with Spence at right-back. He opted to use Declan Rice in the position after bringing the Spurs man off in the second half today.

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Done Deal: Newcastle Agree £43m Deal to Sign Bazoumana Traore

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Newcastle United have agreed a £43m deal to sign Hoffenheim forward Bazoumana Traore this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

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Man Utd Leading Race to Sign £103m Star Felix Nmecha

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Manchester United are leading the race alongside Man City to sign Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha this summer, according to Sport BILD.

The Red Devils have had a difficult summer window so far, missing out on top targets Elliot Anderson to Man City and Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, although a deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson is expected to be completed after the World Cup.

But midfield remains a priority position to strengthen, and even more so following Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, and the Germany international has now emerged as a potential target at Old Trafford.

Man Utd Lead Race for Felix Nmecha

Felix Nmecha Germany Action Images

Nmecha, who has been described by Julian Nagelsmann as ‘one of the best central midfielders in the world’, shone at the World Cup for Germany before they were surprisingly eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 on penalties.

But the Borussia Dortmund star has attracted the attention of a number of top clubs with his performances, including Man Utd, after they missed out on deals for some of their top targets.

Man City, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are all understood to be alert to his situation, but it’s Man Utd who are considered to be ‘the main attractions’ for the central midfielder, who came through the academy at Man City, meaning he would count as ‘homegrown’ in the Premier League.

However, Dortmund are not under any pressure to sell the 25-year-old and have set a price of at least €120m (£103m) to allow him to depart the Bundesliga side.

It’s unclear if United would be willing to go so high, but Dortmund are understood to be very confident that Nmecha will be playing for them next season rather than at Old Trafford or anywhere else.

Nmecha Not a Big Money Signing

felix nmecha dortmund borussia via Reuters

While Nmecha has impressed for both Dortmund and Germany in recent times, it’s clear that Dortmund are trying to cash in on the hype around him to get an inflated fee.

If Man Utd weren’t willing to pay the money needed to sign Anderson, who had been publicly earmarked as their top target for months, or Fernandes, who would have been considerably cheaper, then it’s hard to see how they justify paying that much for Nmecha.

While he has the skillset to excel and shine in United’s midfield, there are also several flaws in his game that would need hiding or helping, and the fee just simply isn’t anywhere near good value, making a deal highly unlikely to happen.


Michael Carrick Manchester United manager (2026)


Man Utd Explore Move to Sign ‘Unbelievable’ £80m Star Instead of Mateus Fernandes

Man Utd are ready to move on from Fernandes.

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