DR Congo lead England 1-0 at half-time in the round of 32 in Atlanta, and are halfway to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Brian Cipenga scored after just seven minutes, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi has made three outstanding saves to keep the lead intact, and England head into the break rattled, booed and struggling to find answers.
The opener was as simple as it was damaging. A quick switch from right to left left Djed Spence exposed at the far post, the ball was played over the top of England’s defence, and Cipenga took a touch before driving past Jordan Pickford at the near post, completing the finish with a backflip celebration. It was a brilliant finish, but England’s defending was woeful, their shape carved open with embarrassing ease.
From that moment, DR Congo dropped into a rigid 5-4-1 and England have spent the rest of the half trying to unpick it, largely without success.
Jude Bellingham, England’s most dangerous player, picked up a yellow card in the 19th minute for a frustrated lunge on Mbuku, a symptom of England’s collective loss of composure. Passes went astray, Declan Rice struggled to dictate the tempo he usually provides, and Marcus Rashford let a simple ball run past him moments before the hydration break, drawing boos from the 70,000-plus crowd inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The statistics tell a damaging story. England have won only one World Cup knockout match after conceding first in their entire history, and that was the 1966 final against West Germany.
Mpasi has been extraordinary. He denied Bellingham with a remarkable right-hand save from close range in the 30th minute, clawed away a second Bellingham header in additional time, and kept out a Kane volley at the back post from Declan Rice’s corner in the final act of the half. Three shots, three saves, each one crucial.
England’s frustration boiled over further when Harry Kane went down inside the DR Congo box under pressure from Arlind Ajeti and Mpasi, only for referee Adham Makhadmeh to wave away the appeal. A VAR review confirmed the decision, leaving Kane and his teammates furious.
Yoane Wissa also struck the post for DR Congo before half-time from a swift Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivery, a reminder that the African side carry genuine threat on the counter-attack.
Thomas Tuchel’s side improved noticeably in the 10 minutes before the interval, moving the ball more purposefully and showing greater attacking intent. But as former England goalkeeper Joe Hart noted on the BBC before the match, England remain susceptible to counter-attacks, with holding midfielder Elliot Anderson prone to vacating space in front of the centre-backs.
DR Congo have exploited exactly that vulnerability. Their organisation under coach Sebastien Desabre has been impressive, with a compact defensive block denying England any clear route through the lines and quick transitions presenting the constant threat of a second goal.
At the break, Tuchel was seen crossing his hands as he spoke to Bellingham on the touchline, apparently urging his midfielder to interchange positions more. Jordan Henderson was in conversation with Kane. Anthony Barry, the assistant coach, was gesticulating to Marc Guehi to play the ball forward down the wings.
England have 45 minutes to avoid one of the most shocking results in their World Cup history.
