Thomas Tuchel’s England take on underdogs DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, wary of another World Cup upset after premature exits for European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands. The Congolese play in their first World Cup knockout match after qualifying from the group stage as the top-ranking third-placed team. Follow our live, minute-by-minute commentary.
Kick-off in Atlanta is at 12pm local time and 5pm in London and Kinshasa.
In other World Cup news
We’re yet to find out who of England and DR Congo will be packing their bags at the end of this match.
But one much-discusses team departed North America yesterday… with a parting shot from a senior official in the Trump administration as well as warm applause from fans in Mexico.
Guided by Lumumba’s living statue
DR Congo will enjoy the support of talismanic fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as the “living statue” of independence hero Patrice Lumumba.
Mboladinga gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated hero for the entirety of games.
He missed the team’s opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine restrictions, but was able to join fans of the Leopards for subsequent games.
Tapping the diaspora
DR Congo have scoured the footballing world for players with links to the vast African nation.
Of the 26-man squad, 20 were born outside of Congo – the majority in France, including forward Yoane Wissa, who is well-known to his English opponents from the Premier League.
Defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka was born in London and played for England to under-21 level and Axel Tuanzebe also represented England youth teams.
Mukau in DR Congo’s starting XI
DR Congo make one change from the side that beat Uzbekistan, with Ngalayel Mukau replacing Cedric Bakambu.
The squad: Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngalayel Mukau, Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki; Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa.
Rice returns as England make three changes
England boss Thomas Tuchel has selected Noni Madueke in place of Bukayo Saka.
Rice returns in midfield with Morgan Rogers dropping to the bench, while Djed Spence starts at right back.
The starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham; Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke.
On this day in 1990
England played another African side on this day 36 years ago… and it produced a World Cup classic.
DRC’s historic World Cup
Congo, on the other hand, have already been a success story in this tournament, regardless of who wins today.
The Leopards qualified from a tough group that included heavyweights Portugal and Colombia, clinching a historic draw against Ronaldo & Co.
They then fought back from a goal down against Uzbekistan to book a spot in the knockouts for the first time in their history.
England’s mixed record
England got off to a flying start against old foes Croatia in their opening game, winning 4-2 in a bold attacking display that bolstered their title credentials.
But it’s been a struggle since then, with a goalless draw against Ghana followed by an unconvincing win over Panama.
Beware the ‘underdog’ Leopards
Two European powerhouses have already been ejected from the tournament, with Germany and the Netherlands both crashing out on penalties — and Thomas Tuchel’s men don’t want to be next.
The England coach said there would be no over-confidence from his players, who struggled against Ghana and Panama’s well-drilled defences in the group stage.
“Teams are well-driven, teams defend at the highest level, teams are well prepared,” he said ahead of the match. “And it’s difficult for any team to break teams down, especially when you arrive as a favourite, especially when you face teams who have nothing to lose.”
He added: “We arrive as favourites, and they can play in the role of underdog, which suits them very well.”
Welcome to our liveblog
England take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, entering the last-32 clash as heavy favourites as they look to take another small step towards ending “60 years of hurt”.
But underdogs DR Congo have other plans as they celebrate the first World Cup knockout match in their history, in their first appearance on football’s biggest stage since 1974.
But the Three Lions will be wary of an upset in a tournament that has seen plenty already, against a resilient Congolese team that held European giants Portugal to a draw in the group stage.
