Kane's double rescues England against DR Congo but right-back crisis deepens ahead of Mexico

Harry Kane’s brace sealed a 2026 World Cup last-16 place for England after a nervy comeback against the Democratic Republic of Congo, yet the result could not mask a deepening right-back crisis and defensive fragility that will concern Thomas Tuchel ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Mexico.

England fell behind when Brian Cipenga scored for the African side, and only a Yoane Wissa shot rattling the post before half-time prevented the deficit from becoming insurmountable. Tuchel’s substitutions and touchline interventions at hydration breaks helped spark the turnaround, with Declan Rice delivering a cross that led indirectly to Kane’s equaliser before the captain added a winner that will be the goal most remembered from the afternoon.

Yet the more telling statistic was England’s use of five right-backs across the tournament — three in this match alone. Djed Spence started, was replaced by Rice, who is not a natural right-back, and Ezri Konsa eventually shifted wider when John Stones made a belated return to the pitch. The improvisation underlined a structural problem that has been present throughout the group stage.

It was also the first time England won a World Cup match after going 1-0 down since the 1966 final against West Germany, a historical footnote that speaks to how rarely Tuchel’s side have been tested and how close they came to an early exit.

The defensive record that accompanied England through qualifying — an unbeaten run with Jordan Pickford keeping a series of clean sheets — has not held against stronger opposition. England have failed to keep a clean sheet against Senegal, Uruguay, Japan, Croatia, and now DR Congo, a run that undermines the pre-tournament narrative of an iron-clad backline.

Tuchel built his reputation on defensive solidity, most notably when his Chelsea conceded just twice in their final seven games en route to the 2021 Champions League title. That version of his coaching identity has not yet materialised with England. Whether it can against Mexico, a side with considerably more attacking threat than Congo, remains the central question hanging over the campaign.