Match News and Current Form

Although they won Group L thanks to a 2-0 victory over Panama on matchday three, England flattered to deceive for large parts of their group stage campaign, heightening nerves as they bid to reach at least the quarter-finals in a fifth successive major tournament. They’ve tended to come into their own in competitive action under Thomas Tuchel, winning ten of their 11 such games (D1), although the sole exception did come against African opposition in Ghana in the group stage. African sides account for 50% of Tuchel’s failures to win (D1, L1) since taking charge of England (W13, D2, L2), and a clean sheet could hold the key to avoiding adding to that tally given that 14 of the Three Lions’ last 15 wins were accompanied by a clean sheet.

DR Congo will make history here as they embark upon their first-ever World Cup knockout match, and they do so by virtue of a third-placed finish in Group K. A 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on matchday three was enough to see them secure their place here as the best-ranked third placed finisher, while a draw against Portugal in their group stage opener showed they can be a stubborn opponent for top European opposition. And although the Leopards have only won one of their last five matches (D2, L2), they’re unlikely to be pushovers as DR Congo haven’t been beaten by more than one goal in a competitive setting since March 2022!