Harry Kane scored twice late on to spare England’s blushes against DR Congo, but Thomas Tuchel’s side were given a significant tactical workout that raises serious questions ahead of their last-16 meeting with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
Sebastien Desabre’s DR Congo side abandoned their usual 5-3-2 shape in favour of a 4-4-2, and the switch caused England real problems. By using the goalkeeper as an extra outfield player and spreading the back four across the width of the pitch, DR Congo consistently outnumbered England’s front two of Kane and Jude Bellingham in the build-up, leaving the press ineffective. The DR Congo full-backs held wide positions, drawing Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke away from central areas and leaving England’s midfielders exposed.
The movement of DR Congo’s midfielders dragged Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson into unfamiliar positions, with attackers then dropping unmarked into deeper areas. England’s high press looked disorganised throughout, with players appearing caught between pressing aggressively and holding their shape.
Mexico, under Javier Aguirre, present a similar challenge. Operating in a 4-3-3, they use width and rotations to pull opponents away from passing lanes, with striker Raul Jimenez also known to drop into deeper positions — a tactic that caused comparable problems for Ecuador’s front two in earlier play. England’s struggles to stop DR Congo progressing through their back four and goalkeeper suggest the Azteca test could be an even sterner examination.
Kane’s brilliance ultimately bailed England out this time, but Tuchel will know that a repeat of the same defensive and pressing frailties against the World Cup hosts could prove far more costly.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
