England v DR Congo

If Tuchel doesn’t sort out his defence then this could be England’s first real opportunity to go home.

Get through and most likely it’ll be Mexico at the Azteca next.

It’s all jeopardy from here!

Been impressed by Mexico, all the South Americans really  expect DR Congo not to be too much of a hurdle, Mexico at altitude a bridge too far.

SirNorbertClarke • June 20, 2026 6:00 PM BST
BTW your graphics are very colourful but inaccurate because they are posted so far in advance to ensure you scoop the game thread.

mesmerised
scooping the game thread


SirNorbertClarke • June 20, 2026 6:10 PM BST
Why else post a thread over 7 hours before kick-off?
mega hit the nail on the head.


nobby then proceeds to make the Ghana thread 13 hours before kick off, the Panama thread 48 hours before kick off and now the Congo match 3 and a half days before kick off

there's literally another 7 or 8 matches before that, why don't you just start the England v Mexico Quarter final thread now, ffs

It's England, you need to get your excuses in early innit.

Is mes moaning again

Easiest route to the quarters they could've asked for, imo. Mexico are shyte, if England can't get past them, then there's something far wrong.

Just make the Mexico thread now nobster and then use the other Clarke fella clarky9 to help bump the thread for you again we don't want you waking up in a pool of cold sweat again upon realising it's too late now do we

I wouldn't rule out a Dr Congo v Ecuador last 16 tie, tbh. England should get past Dr Congo and Mexico, though. Then probably Brazil who are beatable, but probably not by England. Couldn't have asked for a kinder draw, though.

easy to see why ye English lads are constantly disappointed, every tourno it's an easy route, every tourno the opposition are shyte.

nobody will be able to say mexico  ( azteca ) brazil argentina  easy route   but looks easier than the other side

It's looking very much like the first half decent side we come up against well be on the plane home.

Tuchel is quite good at match play football.

If the players carry out instructions then we
have every chance.

Maybe France look special and if they turn up
on their game we can't match it, but I haven't seen
anything else we can't have a go at.

It's the defence that concerns me. We give away chances and against the best sides you can't do that.

If we play deeper we could be a counterattacking side but where is the pace?

I think a team will nick an early Goal Against us, park the Bus ,get another on a Breakaway and it be will be Goodnight 

defence looked edgey last night, Pickford Due a Howler , and we are strugglingto  breakdown Tight defences , Ghana,  should have beat us

Hope I'm wrong but cant see us getting past the Quarters ,Last two games have in the main been Tedious to watch

nonnie been Dissapointing on the Whole ,Expected more , Hopefully more to come,  he has a bit of pace Norb

by pace I mean the ability to sprint the best part of 50m -- defenders in pursuit -- and still have the composure to beat the keeper.

Rashford used to have it. Not too sure he still does.

Yeah, the defence doesn't look solid.

If Anderson holds a little closer to defence then I think
it will improve. Don't leave them gaps.

Saka lost his pace by look of it.

Gordon is quick but finish is not secure.

Rashford shooting around box could be valuable at
some point.

we will beat dr congo, mexico will be very tricky as its a home game for them at altitude. England have played Mexico 6 times. WON 5, LOST 1. The one defeat was by 1-0, the only time we have played them at the Azteca

The altitude will have an effect on England whether we play Mexico or Ecuador, assuming we get past the Congolese Jumbo Jet, articulated lorry and parked bus in the front of goal.

The Ecuadorians play at altitude (Quito) 2850 metres above sea level, that's the second highest capital city in the world after La Paz in Bolivia.

Mexico has the eighth highest capital (where the Azteca is) at 2240 metres.

England will be at a disadvantage playing either considering we never play any where near such altitudes. Highest capital in Europe is Andorra's at just over 1000 metres, Wembley is 44 metres.

No idea where most of the Ecuadorian or Mexican players were born, but their home records are very good.

I doubt the Mexican's would have beaten the South Koreans if not for being at the Azteca, Korea looked a better side, England could be gasping for air.

Rice as a mainly dm, to free up bellingham as a 10 also
gives us more solidity.

Doctor Congo will not be as easy as some people think. I think it'll be a real struggle for England to get past them.

It's a tough game,but, if we beat them they were nobodies.

But I'd expect us to progress.

mesmerised, FYI Mexico didn't play Korea in the Azteca. They played them in Guadalajara, where conditions are not nearly as extreme.

"Low-to-Moderate Altitude (1,000m - 1,500m): Guadalajara sits right at the upper edge of this boundary. The body experiences mild stress, but elite lung capacity can compensate
relatively well."

"High Altitude (2,000m+): The Estadio Azteca (2,200m) crosses squarely into true high altitude. At this threshold, the human body's ability to absorb oxygen drops sharply."

You're right about England coming up against it either way. Mexico and Ecuador will both revel in such brutal conditions.

I knew that it was in Guadalaja dblurmunney, just seeing if you were paying attention