England have reached the stage where World Cups are truly judged. The group phase delivered seven points, first place and, ultimately, few alarms for Thomas Tuchel. Yet the performances left room for debate, and the knockout rounds are where those questions either disappear or grow louder. Standing in the way at Mercedes-Benz Stadium are a DR Congo side already rewriting their own football history.

England searching for another gear

There has been something curious about England’s campaign. The results have been excellent. The football has only occasionally matched them. The thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia hinted at an attack capable of overwhelming elite opponents, but the goalless stalemate with Ghana and an uneven display against Panama suggested this remains a side searching for complete fluency.

What England have shown, however, is patience. Rather than forcing games, Tuchel’s team have trusted that quality will eventually create the breakthrough. Against Panama, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham settled another awkward evening within a matter of minutes, demonstrating once again why England possess two of the tournament’s defining players.

Tuchel also deserves credit for building resilience. England are now unbeaten in every competitive fixture under the German, and while they have yet to produce their best football in North America, knockout tournaments have often been won by teams who peak late rather than early. The challenge now is turning controlled performances into convincing ones.

DR Congo have earned everyone’s respect

Few expected DR Congo to still be standing at this stage. Draws with Portugal and Colombia showcased discipline and tactical organisation, but it was the dramatic comeback against Uzbekistan that transformed an encouraging campaign into a historic one.

Conceding early could easily have shattered confidence. Instead, Sébastien Desabre’s side responded with purpose, attacking with far greater freedom after the break as Yoane Wissa and Fiston Mayele fired the Leopards into their first World Cup knockout match.

That achievement has not come through fortune. Desabre has switched systems depending on the opponent, alternating between a back four and a back five without losing the team’s defensive identity. Few sides have looked comfortable playing through them, and England should expect another physically demanding evening.

The question is whether DR Congo can carry enough attacking threat to punish the limited opportunities likely to come their way.

Team news

England will again be without Reece James, while Jarell Quansah’s ankle injury leaves Tuchel short of options at right-back. Djed Spence is expected to continue in that role, with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford likely to return on either flank if fully fit. Kane leads the line after becoming England’s outright leading World Cup goalscorer against Panama.

DR Congo report no fresh injury concerns. Desabre may revert to the more conservative back-five system that frustrated both Portugal and Colombia, with Steve Kapuadi potentially returning to the defence. Cedric Bakambu’s experience could see him keep his place alongside the in-form Wissa despite Mayele’s decisive contribution against Uzbekistan.

Verdict

This has the ingredients of a far trickier evening for England than the draw might initially suggest. DR Congo are organised, disciplined and comfortable defending deep before breaking with pace. They have already frustrated technically gifted opponents and will not be intimidated by the occasion.

England, though, possess something few teams in this tournament can match: genuine match-winners capable of deciding tight contests in an instant. Kane, Bellingham and Saka rarely need repeated invitations. Expect frustration for long spells, but England’s superior quality should eventually tell.

Tip: England to win.