England are into the next round of the World Cup — but this was far from the comfortable night many expected.
For large parts of this knockout clash, the Three Lions looked like a team heading for an early flight home rather than one dreaming of lifting the trophy. Only a late turnaround saved them from what would have gone down as one of the tournament’s biggest shocks.
Everything started badly.
Just seven minutes in, DR Congo stunned England. Brian Cipenga found space inside the area and finished calmly to put the underdogs ahead and instantly change the mood inside the stadium. England suddenly looked tense, rushed and uncertain.
The response never came immediately.
England had possession but little rhythm. Attacks felt forced. Crosses missed targets. Midfield movement looked predictable. Every time the ball reached dangerous areas, DR Congo found bodies in the way or goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi found another save. The pressure wasn’t only on the team — one player in particular started drawing attention.
Every misplaced pass got louder reactions.
Every decision looked heavier.
And the uncomfortable truth was becoming difficult to ignore.
England’s right side was struggling.
There was hesitation going forward and uncertainty defensively. Moments that should have created danger instead slowed attacks down. England kept searching for answers but looked stuck between patience and panic.
Then came the shift.
Substitutions brought energy.
England started attacking with more purpose and finally pinned DR Congo back. The breakthrough arrived with 15 minutes left when Harry Kane rose to head home the equaliser and suddenly belief returned. Then, with extra time creeping closer, Kane delivered again — firing home late to complete the comeback and send England through.
So who had the nightmare start?
Djed Spence.
Thrown into a difficult knockout game, the stand-in right-back struggled to settle and found himself under pressure throughout the opening stages. He wasn’t alone — England as a whole looked flat — but his side of the pitch became an area DR Congo repeatedly targeted. Several match reports highlighted his difficult evening before England eventually recovered.
The result means England survive and move on, but performances like this leave questions. Because knockout football allows bad nights. Winning the World Cup usually doesn’t.