England’s World Cup campaign took a dramatic turn on Wednesday night as Harry Kane scored twice in the final 10 minutes to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in Atlanta. The win, which came after 70 minutes of struggle, has set up a daunting last-16 clash against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had looked disjointed for much of the match, with DR Congo taking the lead and threatening to cause a major upset. However, Kane’s late double — a display of the composure and finishing that has defined his career — spared England’s blushes and kept their tournament hopes alive. The victory was met with relief from the travelling support, many of whom had made the journey to Atlanta for the group-stage fixture.
Attention now turns to the Mexico match, which promises to be one of the most challenging fixtures of England’s recent tournament history. The Azteca Stadium, known for its raucous atmosphere and high altitude, has long been a fortress for the Mexican national team. England will need to address several issues if they are to progress, most notably their defensive organisation. Against DR Congo, England’s backline looked vulnerable, and Tuchel was caught on pitchside microphones criticising defender Djed Spence for playing a backward pass during a difficult spell in the match. Spence’s dismissive reaction to the manager’s instructions has raised questions about squad discipline and cohesion.
Tuchel’s squad selection has also come under scrutiny. The decision to omit Harry Maguire from the World Cup squad has been a talking point, with some pundits arguing that the Manchester United defender’s aerial ability and experience would have been valuable against a physical DR Congo side and could prove crucial against Mexico. Maguire’s absence has left England lacking a dominant presence in the air, a weakness that opponents may look to exploit.
England correspondent Jacob Steinberg, who has been with the team throughout the tournament, will be answering fans’ questions in a live Q&A session on Thursday. The discussion is expected to cover England’s chances against Mexico, Tuchel’s tactical approach, and the team’s overall performance so far. Steinberg witnessed the DR Congo match in Atlanta and will travel to Mexico City ahead of the weekend showdown.
Off the pitch, the match against DR Congo prompted a wave of excitement among fans back home. Reports from London suggested that tens of thousands of workers took an early leave — jokingly referred to as the «Great England World Cup bunk off» — to watch the game in pubs across the capital. Many fans were seen wearing England shirts and chanting in the streets, with some quipping that they had «doctor’s appointments with Dr Congo» to justify their early departure from work.
As England prepare for the Mexico clash, the team will be hoping to build on the momentum from Kane’s late heroics. However, the defensive frailties exposed against DR Congo will need to be addressed if they are to overcome a motivated Mexican side playing in front of a passionate home crowd. The match is scheduled for Sunday evening local time, with a Monday morning kick-off in the UK.
The outcome of the Mexico game will determine whether England’s World Cup journey continues or comes to an abrupt end. For now, the focus remains on fine-tuning the squad and ensuring that the players are mentally and physically ready for one of the toughest tests in international football.
