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New manager, same England

New boss, same England: Tuchel's team no different to Southgate's

"Football's coming home again, with Tommy Tuchel" were the words that rang around the exterior of Atlanta Stadium as tens of thousands of fans walked out into the Georgia heat following England's 2-1 win over DR Congo. The mood was jubilant. Everyone was happy. England won, DR Congo lost. England are now four victories away from ending 60 years of hurt and winning a long-coveted World Cup.

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World Cup 2026 Golden Boot standings: Mbappe level with Messi

The 2026 World Cup is well underway and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. There's a long and winding road to be navigated as 48 nations battle for the top prize, but which star will take home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL tracks the tournament's most prolific stars.

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Gordon suggests Kane is playing at Messi's level

Anthony Gordon has heaped immense praise on England team-mate Harry Kane, claiming the striker is currently operating at a level comparable to Lionel Messi. Gordon's comments follow Kane's dramatic late brace that rescued England from a shock World Cup exit against DR Congo, highlighting his consistency and elite mindset on the biggest international stage.

England v Congo DR: Round Of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

Henry warns England of 'dangerous' Mexico and Kane overreliance

Thierry Henry has warned England that they are playing a dangerous game by relying so heavily on the individual brilliance of Harry Kane. The Arsenal and France legend believes the Three Lions will face a reckoning if the Thomas Tuchel's side concede first in their upcoming World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico.

England v Congo DR: Round Of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

Tuchel explains 'brilliant idea' to play Rice at right-back

Thomas Tuchel praised assistant Anthony Barry after a bold tactical switch helped England recover from behind to beat DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32. Declan Rice's move to right-back changed the balance of the game, with Harry Kane scoring twice to complete the comeback and send the Three Lions through.

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DR Congo kicking themselves for not finishing off England - Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe admits DR Congo are bitterly disappointed after suffering a heartbreaking World Cup exit following a 2-1 defeat against England. The defender revealed the squad are kicking themselves for not securing victory in the first half, while coach Sebastien Desabre praised his players for a brave performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium despite the painful outcome.

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'I'd break my back' - Henry amazed by Kane wonder goal

Thierry Henry has heaped praise on Harry Kane after the England striker produced a magnificent late winner against DR Congo at the World Cup. The Bayern Munich star scored twice in a hard-fought comeback victory, prompting Henry to marvel at his incredible physical technique, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed the team's entire hopes of tournament glory rest squarely on Kane's shoulders.

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Rice: Kane is 'just ridiculous' after England win

Declan Rice has hailed "ridiculous" Harry Kane as a "proper leader" after the captain’s clinical brace rescued England from a potential World Cup disaster against DR Congo. The Three Lions midfielder admitted he was left stunned by Kane’s finishing ability as Thomas Tuchel's side secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory to reach the round of 16.

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Tuchel finds belief in England comeback

Thomas Tuchel has urged his England side to use their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Congo DR as a springboard for the rest of the World Cup. The Three Lions survived a significant scare in the round of 32, requiring a late rescue act from their captain to avoid a humiliating exit.

England v Congo DR: Round Of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

Did Kane dive? Debate rages after England denied penalty vs DR Congo

Harry Kane and England have been left furious after the striker was denied a penalty in the closing stages of the first half against DR Congo. The referee waved away the appeals, suggesting Kane had dived, sparking a massive debate among pundits like Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney. Some claimed it was a clear foul, while others praised the referee for ignoring the dive.

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Rice reveals extreme confidence in England penalty takers

Declan Rice believes the current England squad features the best penalty takers the nation has ever seen. Ahead of a World Cup round of 32 clash against DR Congo, the midfielder expressed absolute confidence in his team-mates' abilities. While acknowledging past nerves, he insists the group is fully prepared for a shootout if required under Thomas Tuchel.

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'Unplayable' Bellingham gets 'world-class' billing from Madueke

Noni Madueke has expressed his absolute bewilderment at anyone doubting Jude Bellingham, labelling the England superstar as a world-class talent after a stellar World Cup. The winger insists that the Real Madrid midfielder always delivers on the biggest stages, and his unplayable display against Panama was just business as usual for the Three Lions.

England line up vs DR Congo

Rice recall a no-brainer - but Tuchel faces winger headache

It hasn't always been pretty, but England have achieved their aim of winning their World Cup group to set up a favourable last-32 tie. They will face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday after eventually seeing off Panama last time out, but form and fitness mean Thomas Tuchel's team selection is far from certain as the knockout stage gets underway.

England v Ghana: Group L - FIFA World Cup 2026

‘Blew up’ - England talisman Rice delivers injury update

Declan Rice has provided a positive update on his fitness as England prepare for their 2026 World Cup last-32 clash with DR Congo in Atlanta. The Arsenal midfielder was a notable absentee from the final group stage win over Panama, sparking fears that Thomas Tuchel could be without his midfield anchor for the start of the knockout rounds.

England v Croatia: Group L - FIFA World Cup 2026

Pickford: England stars 'ready to go to war' for Tuchel

Jordan Pickford has sounded a defiant battle cry ahead of England's World Cup knockout campaign, claiming the squad is prepared to "go to war" for manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions are looking to build on their group stage momentum as they prepare for a high-stakes last-32 encounter against DR Congo in North America.

Spain v Cabo Verde: Group H - FIFA World Cup 2026

How have debutant teams performed at the FIFA World Cup?

Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It is the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde have achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, with the African nation to face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday.

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WC26 Power Rankings: Draw opens up for Messi & Argentina

The group stages of the 2026 World Cup are in the books after a thrilling fortnight of action across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Despite a lack of eye-catching fixtures on paper in the new, expanded format, there has been drama aplenty, with all the big names showing up for their respective countries on football's biggest stage.