England secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday night at Atlanta Stadium, advancing to the World Cup last 16, where they will face Mexico in Mexico City early Monday. Despite the win, England’s performance exposed ongoing issues within the squad as they struggled against a disciplined and tactically astute DRC side.

The match started unfavorably for England, who appeared disjointed and vulnerable at times. The DRC quickly capitalized on England’s defensive lapses, with Brian Cipenga scoring a low shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after 7 minutes. England’s midfield, including Jude Bellingham, failed to assert control in the early stages, with Bellingham visibly frustrated on and off the ball. Defenders such as Djed Spence were caught out of position, leaving the team exposed on several occasions.

England’s backline appeared unsettled, with the absence of key players such as Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, and Reece James impacting stability. Declan Rice’s fitness also remained a concern. The first half was marked by occasional errors and missed opportunities, with England’s attack lacking cohesion, particularly through Marcus Rashford, whose inaccuracies drew audible disapproval from the crowd.

As the second half progressed, England’s urgency increased, but the DRC’s goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, delivered a series of impressive saves to keep his team ahead. Manchester United’s Harry Kane, England’s captain and focal point, was denied a penalty and struggled against the DRC’s low defensive block. The possibility of an upset loomed, reviving memories of past England disappointments in major tournaments.

However, tactical adjustments by manager Thomas Tuchel proved decisive. Around 20 minutes from time, Tuchel introduced Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon for Noni Madueke and Rashford, followed by the substitution of Djed Spence with Eberechi Eze, while shifting Rice to right-back. These changes revitalized the team’s attacking dynamics.

The equalizer came five minutes after these alterations, sparked by a combination involving Eze and Rice. Rice’s cross found Gordon, who set up Kane to head home. England then maintained their momentum, with Gordon providing a clever assist for Kane’s winning goal in the 86th minute, securing the 2-1 victory.

Despite advancing, England’s performance raised questions about their overall readiness. The team appeared fatigued and lacked balance for large portions of the match, and the spirited performance from the DRC underscored the vulnerabilities in England’s approach. England will face a formidable challenge against Mexico at the historic Azteca Stadium, where they must improve if they hope to progress further in the tournament.