England Face Congo DR on July 1 in Atlanta: What Tuchel Gets Right and What Still Needs Fixing

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Thomas Tuchel was honest after the Panama game. He said England would need to improve and he was right to say so. The 2-0 scoreline flatters a performance that struggled to create in open play for 62 minutes against a team with zero points, zero goals and already eliminated from the tournament. The positives are real: England have topped their group, Bellingham is in outstanding form, Kane has broken a major record and the bracket draw is as kind as it could have been. But Congo DR on July 1 in Atlanta is not a given, and the problems from the group stage do not disappear overnight.

The defensive shape has been too open on the counter. Panama had two good chances despite being the tournament's worst attacking team. Ghana, who were genuinely dangerous, could have scored more than once from counter-attacks in the first half of their game. Against Congo DR, who have pace and Wissa's finishing ability, those same vulnerabilities could be punished more severely. Declan Rice's fitness is the biggest selection question. He was left out against Panama as a precaution and if he is available for the Congo DR game his presence in midfield transforms England's ability to control possession and protect the back four.

On the positive side, England have five changes available compared to the starting eleven against Panama and Tuchel has shown he is willing to rotate. Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers all brought different things in this game and the forward options give real tactical flexibility. The question is whether Tuchel trusts Eze or Foden more than Madueke and Gordon as the tournament gets more serious, and whether Rashford can maintain the level that made him a consistent threat on Saturday.

England 2-0 Panama: World Cup 2026 reaction as England top group, Scotland out - as it happenedwww.espn.com