Much was expected of England prior to the
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Seven points from a group containing Croatia, Ghana and Panama was a good return for England but the manner of the performances has led to plenty of questions over the makeup of Tuchel’s squad. The Three Lions have been exposed defensively and there’s been a lack of creativity.
With question marks over the fitness of Reece James and now an injury to Jarell Quansah, they also look light at right-back. Panama created plenty of chances and a better side would almost certainly have punished England.
Nevertheless, there are positives, specifically in the form of world-class operators Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. The group-stage game-changers will be pivotal if their side are to progress to the last 16.
DR Congo will certainly give the duo plenty of attention and will rely on their defensive solidity to frustrate their opponents. The Leopards have kept an impressive 29 clean sheets in 57 games under Sebastien Desabre, albeit none yet this tournament.
Having seen how much England struggled to create against a Ghana’s rigid low block, DR Congo will attempt to replicate that defensive display while offering more in attack.
Their counter-attacking speed could pose problems, particularly as Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa are adept at timing runs behind opposition defences. Newcastle forward Wissa already has three goals to his name, and will be confident of exposing any holes in the England defence.
FourFourTwo’s prediction
England 3-1 DR Congo
FourFourTwo predicts England to click into gear and seal a place in the last 16 with a deserved victory.
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