Dugout Discussion
1 July 2026 90 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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England and DR Congo will tussle for the right to face Mexico in the Round of 16 in Atlanta this afternoon.

Kick-off is at 17:00 BST.

The Three Lions are the strong bookies’ favourites to prosper in this tie – but then again, Germany had similar match odds ahead of their clash with Paraguay…

TEAM NEWS

It’s pretty much as expected from Thomas Tuchel, who makes three alterations from the victory over Panama.

One is an enforced change at right-back as Djed Spence ($4.5m) comes in for the injured Jarell Quansah ($4.4m). Reece James ($5.2m) is still unable to feature, too.

Declan Rice ($7.0m), who wasn’t risked in England’s final group game, returns at Morgan Rogers‘ ($7.2m) expense.

And the careful management of Bukayo Saka ($9.5m) continues as Noni Madueke ($6.1m) replaces his Arsenal teammate on the right flank.

As for DR Congo, head coach Sebastien Desabre has made one change to the side that started against Uzbekistan.

Ngal’ayel Mukau ($4.9m) comes in for Cedric Bakambu ($6.5m).

Virtually all of the Fantasy interest is with England, with 15 of Tuchel’s squad boasting higher ownerships than DR Congo’s most-selected player!

Here are the players owned by more than 1% of managers in the official FIFA game:

LINE-UPS

England XI: Pickford, Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford, Kane.

Subs: Dean Henderson, Trafford, Stones, Saka, Chalobah, Jordan Henderson, Burn, Mainoo, Rogers, Gordon, Watkins, Eze, Toney, James, Quansah.

DR Congo XI: Mpasi, Masuaku, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka, Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Cipenga, Wissa, Mbuku.

Subs: Fayulu, Epolo, Kapuadi, Batubinsika, Bongonda, Kakuta, Joris Kayembe, Elia, Tshibola, Bakambu, Pickel, Mayele, Banza, Kalulu, Edo Kayembe.


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  1. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    15 mins ago

    We thought Tuchel was going to play a defensive transition system like at Chelsea.

    Instead England are playing high up the pitch like Man City and don't have the players to create chances. Trent perfect creator, sat at home.

    Southgate had the right idea but lacked the ability to coach the transistions against top teams. Tuchel was supposed to fix this.

  2. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 mins ago

    Trying to claim a penalty when the player can’t even see the ball is hilarious…

  3. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    12 mins ago

    Mahueke is a moron. Taking absurd shots straight into traffic

  4. Travel Notes
    • 3 Years
    11 mins ago

    Almost a second.

    1. Travel Notes
      • 3 Years
      just now

      Shimmied off the post.

  5. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    11 mins ago

    Should have been 2-0, Wissa misses tap-in…

  6. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    11 mins ago

    Tuchel should just leave at halftime. Get a head start.

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      just now

      And cheaper flight ticket before prices rise as all the fans book to come home..

  7. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    11 mins ago

    OMG Wissa post

  8. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    10 mins ago

    Kane dive lol

  9. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    10 mins ago

    Penalty coming from VAR....

    1. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      9 mins ago

      or not

  10. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    10 mins ago

    This ref is so intelligent. I love him a lot

  11. Travel Notes
    • 3 Years
    9 mins ago

    Penalty claim turned down. Scorecard 10; for a dive.

    1. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      8 mins ago

      Kane did get the ball first, Keeper got no ball

    2. Nope keeper did not get the ball. Kane got only contact on the ball, then keeper got in his way. Penalty 100%

  12. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 mins ago

    That’s a dive, even with arms out for best water entry…

    1. He got the touch 1st and keeper went all out and failed to get any of the ball. Yes player has gone over but he also had 1st and only contact on ball and keeper is in the way of the ball with absolutely no touch on ball. PENALTY 100%

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        1 min ago

        Reckon it would have been given if Kane hadn’t over exaggerated…

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      3 mins ago

      Kane is a diver, water is wet

  13. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    9 mins ago

    So much pressure but what a competent Ref.

  14. England have played poorly but that was a stone wall penalty. NO DOUBT.

    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      just now

      That's only a pen in the PL

  15. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    8 mins ago

    Woah, Glasner to Forest

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      6 mins ago

      Massive downgrade from Palace and the owner of Forest is a lunatic

      1. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        4 mins ago

        You’d only think it’s a downgrade but Glasner made Palace what they’ve been for the last 3 seasons

        At Forest he’ll get money to spend

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          just now

          I wonder if Glasner will get the time he needs for his team to gel though...

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        2 mins ago

        At least they initially show ambition, Nottingham

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      5 mins ago

      NF to have 6 x managers during 26/27 season, Glasner sacked before GW1…

  16. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    7 mins ago

    Commentators and Clattenburg all agree it was a penalty. Aghast the ref didn't even look at it on screen

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      just now

      Of course they did. Ref isn't English...........

  17. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    6 mins ago

    Mpasi Mpasi Mpasi Mpasi Mpasi

  18. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    5 mins ago

    If someone is running at speed and someone grabs both legs you're going down.

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      just now

      He was going down anyway, because he felt entitled to a pen. Can only blame himself

  19. puma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 mins ago

    Looked like a penalty to me. Kane got it first, goalie did not even touch the ball, but clipped Kane. Kane probably over emphasized the tiny clip, but looked enough to me as he was through on goal. (Perhaps a little heavy on the touch, but still think he taps in without the keeper clip)

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      1 min ago

      Kane kicked him. Lost England an easy pen by simulating a foul instead of making it an actual foul. Did a Havertz. Seen em given but ref doesn’t have anything to give in this case except maybe a yellow to Kane, but that would be harsh. My 2 cents.

      1. BUZZBOMB ♡
        • 11 Years
        just now

        100% agree on everything you say

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      1 min ago

      I think once the referee deems it a dive, the question becomes is there enough to overturn.
      I also feel it's a pen though

  20. Travel Notes
    • 3 Years
    2 mins ago

    Saved from Kane just before the break.

    1. Travel Notes
      • 3 Years
      1 min ago

      Mpasi - No past me.

  21. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 mins ago

    Another Mpesi wonder save…