England were 15 minutes from one of the most abject humiliations in their World Cup history until Harry Kane’s late heroics rescued them against DR Congo – a defeat that would have ranked alongside the last-16 loss to Iceland at Euro 2016 and the defeat to the United States in 1950. Now, as they prepare to face co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, head coach Thomas Tuchel faces a deepening set of problems, not least the fitness of his midfield anchor Declan Rice.
Rice, the glue that holds England together, ended the win against DR Congo playing at right-back – a position Tuchel himself described as a poisoned chalice, plagued by injuries and loss of form. The sight of such a key player shunted into a troubled area hinted at confusion in the camp. And after the match, Rice complained of ‘terrible pain’, prompting an anxious update from Tuchel. The England boss insisted the midfielder is not injured, but offered a worrying prognosis on his condition ahead of the last-16 tie.
“England were 15 minutes from World Cup humiliation until Kane's heroics, but Declan Rice's fitness worry now clouds their last-16 clash with Mexico.”
Tuchel may not have survived a defeat to DR Congo, yet the victory papered over cracks that have been exposed throughout the campaign. Kane and Jude Bellingham have been England’s standout performers, delivering goals and world-class inspiration in wins against Croatia and Panama, and again when it mattered most against DR Congo. But the reliance on the pair is becoming a vulnerability. Tuchel admitted that the duo cannot always bail out under-performing team-mates and their head coach.
Anthony Gordon made an outstanding impact off the bench, playing a part in both goals, but it was a frustrating day for Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke. Bukayo Saka is being managed carefully due to an Achilles problem, limiting his involvement. On the flanks and in defence, Tuchel has shuffled repeatedly. ‘If Tuchel does know his best team, he is hiding it well,’ observed BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty.
The right-back position in particular has become a poisoned chalice, and Rice’s deployment there only deepened the sense of improvisation. Now, with his fitness a concern, Tuchel must decide whether to risk his most reliable midfielder or rearrange again.
England’s World Cup dream lives on, but the Mexico clash will reveal whether they have learned from their close call – or whether the cracks will widen under the pressure of a passionate home crowd in the Azteca.