The Rest Is Football

Snapshot · The Rest Is Football

Kane to the rescue as England squeeze past DR Congo

Explore episode Jul 2, 2026

Where this was said

Was England's Display Encouraging or Alarming?

At 9:08 · chapter starts 4:47

Gary Lineker makes the optimistic case: yes, the first 20 minutes against DR Congo were poor, and the team was shaken by the early goal, but from the hydration break onwards England looked assured, created chances, and — crucially — kept Congo largely quiet. He counters the criticism that England always expect to score freely without conceding, calling it an unrealistic standard. Joe Cole adds that going 1-0 down to Congo and fighting back showed mental fortitude that will matter in the knockout rounds. Brad Friedel, though, presses the panel on whether they are seeing real improvement. Brad Friedel points out that England's right-back crisis is self-inflicted — Livramento injured, Spence playing out of position — and that the midfield and defence look alarmingly uncoordinated. He argues that against better opposition the weaknesses will be mercilessly exposed, closing with the stark verdict that England will not reach the final if they keep performing like this.

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