England faced a surprising challenge against DR Congo, ranked 46th in the world, during their recent match. On Wednesday, England needed two late goals from Harry Kane to secure a 2-1 victory. The match highlighted some tactical vulnerabilities that manager Thomas Tuchel must address before their upcoming clash against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16 of the tournament.
Understanding DR Congo's Tactical Setup
DR Congo's shift to a 4-4-2 formation from their usual 5-3-2 caught England off-guard. This tactical change allowed them to exploit England's pressing style effectively. England's front two, Kane and Jude Bellingham, struggled to apply meaningful pressure, as DR Congo utilized their goalkeeper and three central players to outnumber England's forwards.
By spreading their back line and maintaining width, DR Congo forced England's wingers, Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke, away from the central defenders. This strategy limited England's ability to close down gaps, leaving them uncertain on whether to press high or maintain their positions.
Lessons for England Ahead of the Mexico Match
To improve against Mexico, England can consider two main tactical approaches. One option is to adopt a more passive and compact defensive block, allowing Mexico to retain possession while limiting their attacking space. Alternatively, England could enhance their high-pressing strategy by having one central midfielder join Kane and Bellingham in pressing Mexico's central defenders and defensive midfielder.
