Three duels that could shape England v DR Congo in Atlanta | OneFootball

England face DR Congo in the World Cup last 32 in Atlanta, and three individual battles could decide it.

The expanded 48-team tournament has offered few walkovers, and this tie looks anything but simple. yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk notes that DR Congo’s likely XI includes six Premier League alumni, and the group stage brought a deserved draw with Portugal and a narrow loss to Colombia.

Yoane Wissa endured a torrid debut season at Newcastle United but hit form for his country with three group goals, including a late strike against Uzbekistan. Alongside Cédric Bakambu he benefits from space created rather than toiling alone. If England’s back line, short on composure, grant him time on counters they could be punished.

On the left, Thomas Tuchel’s call between Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford remains a headache. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who switched to DR Congo in 2025, is one of the best one-on-one defenders and tacklers in England. With DR Congo likely to sit deep early, that flank could be shut down without quality.

Sébastien Desabre has alternated between three-five-two and four-four-two, and a back three could leave Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe often duelling Harry Kane. England struggle to find Kane when opponents sit deep, he had 19 touches against Ghana and 25 against Panama. If DR Congo stay disciplined Tuanzebe’s job eases, yet he lost more than half of his aerial and ground duels in the Premier League last season, so quick service into Kane could flip it.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk