Barca World Cup Spotlight: Anthony Gordon dazzles for England | OneFootball

The round-of-32 games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are living up to the billing, with a number of closely fought matches so far.

Barcelona players did not have the greatest start to the knockouts, though, with Frenkie de Jong getting knocked out with the Netherlands by Morocco.

However, since then, Jules Kounde and France have coasted past Sweden, and last night, summer signing Anthony Gordon played a pivotal role in England’s comeback 2-1 win over DR Congo.

Gordon did not start the game against the African side, with Thomas Tuchel preferring Marcus Rashford, but England could not break down Congo’s block.

An hour into the game, the Three Lions still found themselves trailing Congo, and Tuchel chose to bring on the Barcelona man for Rashford.

Gordon showed exactly what makes him special, bringing a lot of directness and making a difference for his team.

Here is how the former Newcastle United man fared against DR Congo last night.

Anthony Gordon vs DR Congo

Anthony Gordon picked the perfect moment to make his biggest World Cup impact so far.

Gordon came on as a second-half substitute. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

England were staring at a shock exit against DR Congo in the round of 32 before the Barcelona winger changed the game from the bench.

He came on in the 60th minute, assisted both England goals, created two chances and finished with a dazzling performance in just 36 minutes.

That is exactly what substitutes are supposed to do in knockout football. Gordon did not need time to grow into the match.

He gave England directness, pace, energy and, most importantly, the final ball they had been missing.

Harry Kane will take the headlines after scoring twice in the 2-1 comeback win, and fairly so. That said, Kane needed service, and Gordon provided it when England were running out of ideas.

This was easily Barça’s summer signing’s most encouraging performance of the tournament. His earlier displays had energy without end product.

The first assist showed his crossing quality and decision-making under pressure. The second showed something just as important: awareness.

Gordon’s performance was quite encouraging. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Gordon did not just attack blindly; he found Kane in the right zone and trusted him to finish. Instead of trying to become the hero himself, he chose to find his captain, who was in a better position.

This matters for Barça fans because the Englishman’s value cannot be measured only by pace and his pressing intensity off the ball.

At Barcelona, wide players are judged by what they do after creating separation. Can they pick the right pass? Can they stay composed near the box? Can they hurt compact teams?

Against DR Congo, the answer was yes.

There is still a bigger challenge ahead. A strong cameo does not automatically make a complete tournament or make him a starter going forward.

England’s next game against Mexico at the Azteca will test their attack in a very different way, and beating the hosts in their own backyard is unlikely to be an easy affair.

For Gordon, this was a statement, and Barcelona will hope that he can continue putting in such performances for England in the upcoming games.