England face familiar faces in DR Congo hurdle, USA prepare for World Cup spotlight
English coach warns his players they are facing a team with nothing to lose, while co-hosts will experience tournament’s biggest moment
England take on the Democratic Republic of Congo at the World Cup on Wednesday looking for a place in the last 16 while co-hosts the United States prepare for the biggest match in their football history.
Two European powerhouses have already been ejected from the tournament after Germany and the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in the round of 32 by Paraguay and Morocco, respectively – and England do not want to be next.
The Three Lions are aiming to end a 60-year wait to collect a major trophy, but their coach Thomas Tuchel warned his players that they are facing a team in Atlanta with nothing to lose.
“I feel it is a privilege to be in these situations. I think we can just accept it, we are the favourites [against DR Congo],” Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.
The German cautioned, though, that “the games so far in round of 32 speak a very clear language. It’s narrow, narrow margins”.
England will rely on their world-class duo of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane although influential defender Reece James misses the game through injury.