DR Congo’s Brian Sipenga’s first half strike was canceled out by Harry Kane in the 75th minute. Anthony Gordon was the provider whose looped cross found the head of Kane who guided it past the goalkeeper. Sipenga put the African nation ahead after just 7 minutes in their Round of 32 clash on Wednesday. Jed Spence failed to judge a ball coming in from the right which went over his head and found Sipenga who made no mistake to shoot the ball past England keeper Jordan Pickford at the near post.
Jude Bellingham equalized in the 30th minute, but his header was brilliantly saved by Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Marcus Rashford also came close in the 35th minute but an HSI strike was cleared off the goal line by a Congolese defender.
Congo almost doubled their lead after Wan Bissaka’s cross was met by Yone Wisa whose shot hit the post and went wide for a goal kick. Bellingham, on the other hand, was once again denied by the Congolese goalkeeper who pushed his header wide of the near post.
Ahead of the match, injuries were piling up for England, who lost their first and second-choice right-backs in the round of 32 against Congo.
Reece James is out with a hamstring injury and backup Jarrell Quansah twisted his ankle in England’s 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday.
It will see Jade Spence move to cover from the left, but coach Thomas Tuchel is confident both James and Kwansa will be back soon – as long as England can get past Congo.
“They are getting closer,” Tuchel said. “The race to get into my team this time was very close. So we need to make sure we get more matches. That’s the main focus and then it will happen soon.”
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Congo are playing in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time. Portugal had already drawn 1-1 in the group stage and advanced after beating Uzbekistan.
“It is true that we are looking at a difficult match, but by no means invincible. We have proved that against teams that were supposed to be superior to us, we have actually been able to perform well,” said Congolese coach Sébastien Desabre. “So we’re focusing on our strengths, we’re on our way and once you get to this stage in the competition it’s difficult for everyone.”
Tuchel said Bukayo Saka, who came into the tournament due to injury, is fit to start.
Starting Lineup:
England: Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Mark Guehy, Jade Spence, Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Noni Maduke
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DR Congo: Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Ngalayal Mukau, Nathaniel Mbuku, Samuel Moutousami, Noah Sadiki, Brian Sipenga, Yone Wisa