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Tuchel, Kane, Rice, Gordon, Anderson react as England come back to beat DR Congo

Tuchel, Kane, Rice, Gordon, and Anderson react as England come back to beat DR Congo in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

The Three Lions had to do things the hard way, Congo can come away feeling proud, especially their keeper Lionel Mpasi, who put in some outstanding saves to keep his side in it for as long as he could.

Brian Cipenga had put the Democratic Republic of the Congo ahead, beating Pickford at near post just 8 minutes in.

Harry Kane then scored twice in last 15 minutes to rescue England. A sigh of relief.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel said, as per BBC Sport: “We kept believing. We had the worst start possible.

“First shot, first goal. Then, it became even more difficult. After the first water break, we were on top of the game. I think we should have had a penalty. The substitutes came on, and put the effort in, and we won it. Well deserved, but we had to work a lot.

“We have to have that mindset if it is getting hard, it is getting hard, but don’t lose patience and don’t lose belief. The guy [Lionel Mpasi] was incredible the kind of saves he was making.”

On Harry Kane: “He is getting better. That is what we expect from him. I think it is what he expects from himself. Difficult matches, close matches. Harry is here to decide them. Top level.”

On substitutes: “Like I said, for the whole tournament, the energy and team spirit is on the highest level.

“Everyone fully understands which part of the tournament we are at the moment and what it really takes.

“I think everyone feels very comfortable when they play and when they are selected to finish because of the atmosphere that the team provides for each other.”

Tuchel continued: “If everyone gets what they like, then everyone gets an early goal and another goal, then it’s an easy afternoon. You have to deal with the situation as they come.

“It got very difficult because they got a very early goal, but I have to say, after the first water break, there were three, four, five big chances. I think we had a penalty situation maybe in our favour, and we kept knocking.

“The goalkeeper [Lionel Mpasi] had unbelievable saves, and it got more difficult. The reaction and belief was one of a kind. They were ready to keep doing what was necessary to do, and we found a way to win. Well deserved, by the way, well deserved.”

England’s Harry Kane to BBC Sport: “It feels amazing to be honest. What a crazy game. They are a tough team and then after that first break we were much better and their keeper made some unbelievable saves. We spoke about people having hero moments and it can be anyone. It was me today.

“We spoke all week about just being ourselves. There are still things to work on for sure and these rounds are just about getting through. We are in the part of ther tourament when you have to grind wins out, and that’s what we have done today.

“We are the same as every other nation. We are through, so enjoy it. I want them to enjoy it with the fans, and then we go again in four days.

“We spoke after the Croatian game about subs making an impact and you saw that again. Over 90 minutes, we are tough to handle. I am pleased for everyone involved and hopefully we’ll keep it going.”

England’s Elliot Anderson to BBC Sport: “It was a tough game. We stuck by each other until the very end, and we got through.

“You look to the big-game players to get us through in the end. We build the foundations and try to get them the ball.

“I think we grew into the game and the first 20 minutes were poor. Their keeper was amazing and the subs made a massive difference.

“We’ll enjoy it with fans and then we will get our heads down and get back on it.”

England vice-captain Declan Rice said to BBC Radio 5 Live on looking exhausted: “It’s what happens when you play in 30 degree heat I suppose. Tough game. Give it everything and bodies been through a lot in that match. Time to recover and go again.”

On how he’s feeling after dealing with a knock: “I’m fine. Good as gold. Good.

“It’s a knockout game. They’ve got through a tough group and it was never going to be easy. You can never underestimate opposition as a neutral , as a player because they have quality and can hurt you at any given moment and they did. But other than that I think we had so many chances.

“Their goalkeeper, credit to him, he had an absolute worldie. Harry Kane, inevitable, scoring them goals. It was a deserved win but made a bit more hard work than we should’ve done. The main thing is knockouts we win and that’s what we done.”

On Kane scoring twice: “He’s going to get chances. If you give him a chance it’s a goal, I think personally. I’ve seen it too many times. It’s ridiculous the goals he scores and how he scores them. His whole mentality around scoring, 72 for the season now, it’s just ridiculous, so credit to him.”

On whether the team will get better as games go on: “As the games go on, even today again we thought they were playing a back five, they played a back four and they were more open. We had more attacks and shots on goal. As the games go on we’re going to keep getting better.”

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