World Cup 2026: England never lost belief in win over DR Congo – Thomas Tuchel

England were forced to dig deep in Atlanta after a nightmare opening that threatened to derail their World Cup ambitions, before a second-half revival secured a 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo and passage into the last 16.

The Three Lions found themselves behind inside seven minutes when Brian Cipenga struck a stunning early opener for the Congolese, punishing a sluggish start that left the European side stunned in front of a charged crowd.

The setback immediately altered the tone of the contest, with England forced into an uncharacteristically reactive performance as pressure mounted in the first half.

Tuchel demands patience as Kane leads response

Head coach Thomas Tuchel insisted afterwards that his side never lost composure, even when the match began to slip away from them in the opening exchanges.

“We kept believing. We had the worst start possible. First shot, first goal, Then, it became even more difficult,” he said.

England gradually wrestled control of the game, particularly after the first water break, where Tuchel believes the tactical reset began to shift momentum in their favour. However, frustration lingered over a key first-half moment when Harry Kane appeared to be brought down in the box, only for the penalty appeals to be waved away.

“After the first water break, we were on top of the game. I think we should have had a penalty,” Tuchel added.

Kane delivers when it matters most

The turning point arrived after the interval, with captain Harry Kane once again proving decisive on the biggest stage. His second-half brace flipped the contest on its head, rescuing England from a potentially damaging defeat and reinforcing his reputation as the team’s most reliable match-winner.

Tuchel was quick to credit the impact of the bench as well, highlighting the importance of squad depth in breaking down a resilient Congolese defence.

“The substitutes came on, and put the effort in, and we won it. Well deserved, but we had to work a lot,” he said.

England’s persistence eventually overwhelmed the opposition, with sustained pressure forcing mistakes and opening space for Kane to exploit in decisive fashion.

Belief becomes the defining message

For Tuchel, the victory was as much about mentality as tactics, with the German coach stressing the importance of emotional control in high-pressure knockout football.

“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,” he explained.

The win sets up a high-stakes last-16 clash against co-hosts Mexico national football team at the iconic Estadio Azteca, where England will face a significantly louder and more hostile environment.

Kane earns manager’s praise

Tuchel also reserved special praise for his captain, who once again delivered when England needed him most.

On Kane’s performance, he said simply: “He is getting better.”