England booed as DR Congo's Cipenga punishes sloppy defending in World Cup last 32

England were booed by their own supporters at Atlanta Stadium after falling behind to DR Congo in their World Cup 2026 last-32 tie, with Brian Cipenga’s powerful finish exposing a string of defensive errors in the opening stages.

Cipenga capitalised on a sequence of sloppy play from England: Djed Spence missed a header, Noni Madueke failed to track the DR Congo winger, and the striker drove a low effort past Jordan Pickford at the near post. The goal came inside the first 20 minutes and prompted audible displeasure from the England end.

Boos continued into the first hydration break, with the reaction appearing directed at both the performance and FIFA’s expanded tournament format, which has drawn widespread criticism throughout the competition. England had managed just one convincing half across their four games to that point.

BBC co-commentator and former England striker Alan Shearer was unsparing in his assessment. “They’ve been too slow, they’ve been punished, not good enough,” he said. “They’ve had one good half in four games — it’s too bitty in other games. Yes, we might have got results, but in that first quarter, if you like, it’s nowhere near good enough.”

Shearer went further after a visibly dejected England supporter appeared on screen. “That sums it up perfectly,” he said. “DR Congo have been outstanding — the attitude of ‘we don’t care who you are or your reputations’ — they don’t win you games. They’ve been the better team by far. We’re yet to see it [courage] from England.”

The result marked a difficult moment for England, who had navigated the group stage without producing a performance to match their billing as one of the tournament’s fancied sides.