England vs Congo DR
Kane's brace seals England comeback
England overturn early deficit to edge Congo DR in World Cup clash
Congo DR stunned England with an early strike from B. Cipenga, but Harry Kane's double in the second half turned the tide and secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts. The match showcased England's resilience as they overturned the deficit after the break. Fipster's prediction of an England win was spot on, though the exact scoreline differed.
Analysis
England prepare to face Congo DR in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, aiming to build on their strong group stage performance.
England enter this knockout match with 16 prior World Cup appearances and a best finish as champions in 1966. Congo DR have appeared once before, reaching the group stage in 1974. England topped their qualifying group with 24 points and a +22 goal difference, while Congo DR finished second in theirs with 22 points and a +9 goal difference. England's squad boasts 25 of 26 players in top-5 European leagues, including stars like Harry Kane of Bayern München and Jordan Henderson of Brentford. Congo DR have 10 players in top-5 leagues, such as defender Chancel Mbemba of Lille and attacker Cédric Bakambu of Real Betis. England's recent form is impressive, with 2.75 points per game and a +2.5 goal difference over the last 12 months, compared to Congo DR's 1.8 points per game and +0.6 goal difference.
The Round of 32 knockout phase places heavy emphasis on in-tournament performance and current form, both of which favour England. Their consistent group stage showing and strong squad calibre give them a clear edge. England's attack, led by Harry Kane who has scored six goals in his last three games, is expected to break down Congo DR's defence, which has shown vulnerabilities. Midfield control from players like Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice should further stifle Congo DR's chances. Discipline is likely to be tight, with an expected total of four cards in the match.
Prediction
We predict England to take a 1-0 lead into halftime and secure a 2-0 victory by full time. The home side's superior squad quality and recent form make them strong favourites to keep a clean sheet and progress comfortably to the next round.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
England's midfield dominance
Bellingham and Rice provide control and creativity, likely to outmatch Congo's midfield.
Superior scoring form for England
England's top attackers have double the league average goals per game, boosting scoring chances.
England's positive recent form
England has clean sheets and scoring streaks, indicating strong momentum for a 2-0 win.
Congo's defensive vulnerabilities
Congo concedes in all recent games, likely to struggle against England's attack.
No key injuries reported
Both teams have full squads available, so no impact from absences expected.
Key Takeaways
England's blend of top-tier talent and solid recent performances should see them through this Round of 32 clash against Congo DR. Expect a composed display from the Three Lions as they aim to continue their World Cup journey with a clean sheet and two goals to their name.
- England have 16 prior World Cup appearances and won the tournament in 1966.
- Congo DR have appeared once before at the World Cup, in 1974, exiting at the group stage.
- England topped their qualifying group with 24 points and a +22 goal difference.
- Congo DR finished second in their qualifying group with 22 points and a +9 goal difference.
- England's squad includes 25 players in top-5 European leagues, including Harry Kane (Bayern München).
- Congo DR have 10 players in top-5 European leagues, including Chancel Mbemba (Lille).
- England's recent form shows 2.75 points per game and +2.5 goal difference over the last 12 months.
- Congo DR's recent form shows 1.8 points per game and +0.6 goal difference over the last 12 months.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — England
Away — Congo DR
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Cipenga
Assist: Mbemba
Bellingham
Yellow Card
Sadiki
Yellow Card
Rashford
Madueke
Mbuku
Spence
Kane
Assist: Gordon
Mukau
Cipenga
Kane
Assist: Gordon
Masuaku
Moutoussamy
Rice
Match Statistics
England
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1J. PickfordG
- 2E. KonsaD
- 3N. O'ReillyD
- 4D. RiceM
- 6M. GuéhiD
- 8E. AndersonM
- 9H. KaneF
- 10J. BellinghamM
- 11M. RashfordM
- 20N. MaduekeM
- 25D. SpenceD
Substitutes
- 5J. StonesD
- 7B. SakaF
- 12T. ChalobahD
- 13D. HendersonG
- 14J. HendersonM
- 15D. BurnD
- 16K. MainooM
- 17M. RogersM
- 18A. GordonF
- 19O. WatkinsF
- 21E. EzeM
- 22I. ToneyF
- 23J. TraffordG
- 24R. JamesD
- 26J. QuansahD
Congo DR
4-3-3Starting XI
- 1L. MpasiG
- 2A. Wan-BissakaD
- 4A. TuanzebeD
- 6N. MukauM
- 7N. MbukuF
- 8S. MoutoussamyM
- 9B. CipengaF
- 14N. SadikiM
- 20Y. WissaF
- 22C. MbembaD
- 26A. MasuakuD
Substitutes
- 3S. KapuadiD
- 5D. BatubinsikaD
- 10T. BongondaM
- 11G. KakutaM
- 12J. KayembeD
- 13M. EliaF
- 15A. TshibolaM
- 16T. FayuluG
- 17C. BakambuF
- 18C. PickelM
- 19F. MayeleF
- 21M. EpoloG
- 23S. BanzaF
- 24G. KaluluD
- 25E. KayembeM
England
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Kane(C) | F | 93 | 8.5 | 2 | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0/2 |
| Noni Madueke | M | 61 | 7.9 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3/4 |
| Elliot Anderson | M | 93 | 7.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — |
| Declan Rice | M | 91 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0/1 |
| Jude Bellingham | M | 93 | 7.2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1/2 |
| Marc Guéhi | D | 93 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marcus Rashford | M | 61 | 6.9 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Ezri Konsa | D | 93 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Djed Spence | D | 70 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Jordan Pickford | G | 93 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nico O'Reilly | D | 93 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| James Trafford | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kobbie Mainoo | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jordan Henderson | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dan Burn | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dean Henderson | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Morgan Rogers | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ollie Watkins | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Reece James | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Trevoh Chalobah | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ivan Toney | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| John Stones | D | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jarell Quansah | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Anthony Gordon | F | 32 | 7.2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 0/2 |
| Bukayo Saka | F | 32 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/4 |
| Eberechi Eze | M | 23 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Congo DR
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | D | 93 | 7.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lionel Mpasi Nzau | G | 93 | 7.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chancel Mbemba(C) | D | 93 | 7.2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2/2 |
| Samuel Moutoussamy | M | 89 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brian Cipenga | F | 76 | 7.0 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/4 |
| Nathanaël Mbuku | F | 64 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Axel Tuanzebe | D | 93 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ngal'ayel Mukau | M | 76 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Yoane Wissa | F | 93 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Noah Sadiki | M | 93 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Arthur Masuaku | D | 89 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/2 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Cédric Bakambu | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dylan Batubinsika | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Simon Banza | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gedeon Kalulu | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Matthieu Epolo | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joris Kayembe | D | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Steve Kapuadi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fiston Mayele | F | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Charles Pickel | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Timothy Fayulu | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gaël Kakuta | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aaron Tshibola | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Théo Bongonda | M | 17 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Meschak Elia | F | 29 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Edo Kayembe | M | 17 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |