England were 15 minutes from one of the most abject humiliations in their World Cup history until Harry Kane’s late heroics dragged them past DR Congo and into a last-16 meeting with Mexico.
Kane scored twice, the second a spectacular winner that John Cross of the Mirror called “his best-ever England moment” and one of the finest in the country’s World Cup history. The victory spared head coach Thomas Tuchel a result that would have ranked alongside the Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland and the 1950 loss to the United States as a national embarrassment.
“England were 15 minutes from World Cup humiliation until Harry Kane's late double rescued them against DR Congo.”
Yet the win did not mask the flaws that have dogged England throughout the campaign. Tuchel, who may not have survived a defeat, now takes his side to Mexico City to face the co-hosts at the iconic Azteca Stadium – a task that would rank as “one of the greatest-ever English sporting achievements” if they prevail, according to the Mirror.
Kane and Jude Bellingham have been England’s standout performers, contributing goals and world-class inspiration in group wins against Croatia and Panama, and again against DR Congo. Bellingham has been man-of-the-match in three of England’s four matches so far. But reliance on the pair is a growing concern. “As good as Kane and Bellingham are, there will come a day when they do not bail under-performing team-mates out,” wrote BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty.
Anthony Gordon made an impact off the bench against DR Congo, but Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke struggled. Bukayo Saka is being managed carefully due to an Achilles problem. The right-back position has become a poisoned chalice: Tuchel picked injury-prone Reece James, who got injured; Tino Livramento went home before the tournament; and Djed Spence struggled badly against DR Congo. “Tuchel has had an absolute stinker over the right back,” wrote the Mirror’s John Cross.
Jordan Pickford has been way off form – he should have stopped DR Congo’s goal – and his distribution has been poor. John Stones looks below the required level, while Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa appear unfamiliar with each other. Declan Rice, the midfield glue, ended the win against DR Congo at right-back, a move that hinted at confusion.
Tuchel’s side face Mexico on hostile ground, with the altitude and crowd stacked against them. If Kane and Bellingham cannot bail them out again, England’s World Cup dream may end in the same city where so many have come to grief.