England survived an almighty scare to recover from a goal down and progress to the World Cup round of 16 with a 2-1 win over DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium.
Match Overview
Trailing to Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute goal, the Three Lions appeared to freeze and a humiliating exit was beckoning until captain Harry Kane levelled in the 75th minute. It was his ruthless strike four minutes from time that won the game and finally put their extremely difficult opponents to bed.
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith was at Atlanta Stadium to rate the England players’ performances.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Jordan Pickford 5: Beaten too easily by the goal. Otherwise had very little to do.
Djed Spence 5: One of two men who got caught for DR Congo’s goal. One good run in the first half.
Ezri Konsa 4: England’s centre-backs moved the ball too quickly and could not easily enough beat their opponents in the air from attacking set-pieces.
Marc Guehi 5: Struggled with DR Congo’s pressing. He and Kane led the arguments with the referee at half-time after Kane had a penalty call controversially waved away.
Nico O’Reilly 4: Positioning was poor and his attacking contribution was lower than in previous games.
Midfield
Elliot Anderson 7: Like England, he grew into the game. His powers of recovery to win the ball back were crucial, particularly as the game went on.
Declan Rice 6: Had a good stint at right-back as England delved deep to save themselves. Looked pretty exhausted throughout the game, though.
Noni Madueke 4: Really poor end product after he had been given the platform to impress by starting.
Jude Bellingham 6: Worked so hard, forced two good saves with headers, and was psyched up for the game as expected. Booked early on for frustration and gave away a stoppage-time free-kick in a very dangerous area, which Yoane Wissa struck over.
Attack
Marcus Rashford 3: A very poor showing from the left winger. After one cross flew over the bar, Thomas Tuchel turned round immediately and insisted Anthony Gordon get ready to come on.
Harry Kane 9: England’s hero for the umpteenth time. The skipper netted a headed equaliser and a thumping late winner to save England from humiliation and ensure their progression.
Substitutes
Anthony Gordon (Rashford, 61’) 7: Came on for Rashford and made a real telling impact, assisting both of Kane’s goals, the first with an excellent cross.
Bukayo Saka (Madueke, 61’) 6: Had space to run into when he came on but also made space for himself. Threatening down the right.
Eberechi Eze (Spence, 71’) 5: Didn’t see much of the ball. Came on for Spence as Rice went to right-back.
John Stones (Rice, 90+1’) N/A
Not used: Chalobah, D Henderson, J Henderson, Burn, Mainoo, Rogers, Watkins, Toney, Trafford
