Harry Kane’s second-half brace dragged England into the World Cup last 16, but the narrow 2-1 win over DR Congo in Atlanta has done little to silence the doubters. Wayne Rooney, watching on, delivered a stark verdict: England are in “big trouble” as they prepare to face Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.
Thomas Tuchel’s side fell behind to a Brian Cipenga strike after Djed Spence failed to deal with Chancel Mbemba’s curling ball into the area. Spence, who had followed Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki, vacated a gaping hole that Noni Madueke had switched off and failed to track. The structural issues, as the Mirror noted, stemmed from “a lack of familiarity and a lack of time directly working together on the training field”. It was the first time that backline had played together.
“Wayne Rooney says England are in 'big trouble' after a shaky World Cup win over DR Congo.”
Tuchel’s selection decisions have come under fire. Spence, who reacted angrily to his own mistake, had not started against Panama despite the absence of Reece James. The England manager claimed “nobody” had seen James’ hamstring strain coming, yet the Chelsea captain missed 14 games last season after also sitting out the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2021. To compound matters, Tuchel picked Tino Livramento as understudy – a player who missed 28 Newcastle games.
Madueke, who has “blown hot and cold in North America”, showed little desire to defend, leaving Spence exposed. Marcus Rashford offered no more. “There are a lot of tactical and personnel issues, relationships on the pitch that are not natural and do not just marry up,” the Mirror concluded.
Rooney’s warning came after Tuchel described the performance as one that gave him “answers”. But with Mexico awaiting in the last 16, the Three Lions must “utilise every single marginal gain within their power” to avoid a “one-sided beating”. For now, England survive – but the experiments may yet end their World Cup dream.