England’s dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo will be remembered for Harry Kane’s finish, but a spirited moment on the touchline may have been just as significant. Television cameras captured Thomas Tuchel in a furious exchange with right-back Djed Spence shortly before the England manager made the substitution that transformed the Round of 32 contest and ultimately helped keep the Three Lions’ World Cup hopes alive.England arrived at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium as heavy favorites to reach the Round of 16, but Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute goal turned the tie on its head. For more than an hour, DR Congo defended resolutely as goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi frustrated England with a series of crucial saves, leaving Tuchel searching for a solution as his side edged closer to a shock elimination.
Tuchel’s frustration reverberated before England’s tactical change
As England continued to struggle for pace, Tuchel’s frustration became increasingly visible. Just after the hour mark, television cameras showed the England manager gesturing animatedly and shouting instructions at Djed Spence, who had started at right-back after injuries ruled Reece James and Jarell Quansah out.Spence endured another difficult night after a mixed tournament, and Tuchel’s visible reaction quickly became a talking point among supporters watching the match.A supporter wrote about X:“What did Tuchel really expect from Djed Spence seriously?”The same post continued:“Defensively he’s a liability, and terrible going forward.”Another fan questioned whether the defender had done enough to keep his place in the side, posting:“Hopefully it’s the end of the Djed Spence experiment for England, nothing against the kid, but he’s not an international player… He can’t start against better teams.”With England trailing and time running out, Tuchel decided a tactical change was needed.
The substitution shifts the momentum as Kane delivers
About 10 minutes into the heated exchange, Tuchel withdrew Spence and introduced Eberechi Eze, making one of the defining decisions of the evening.The substitution prompted a turnaround in England’s form. Rather than introducing a similar replacement at right-back, Tuchel moved Declan Rice into a defensive role, allowing Eze to operate further forward and provide greater creativity in the attacking third.
England coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The impact was almost immediate.Just four minutes after the change, England finally found the breakthrough they had been chasing all game. Anthony Gordon delivered an inviting cross from the left, and Harry Kane got away from his marker before feeding a header past Lionel Mpasi to level the scores in the 75th minute.Although Eze registered neither a goal nor an assist, his introduction injected fresh energy into England’s attack, while Rice’s move to right-back helped stabilize a flank that had struggled for much of the contest. The tactical adjustment changed the balance of England’s attack and coincided with the period in which Tuchel’s side finally broke through the Congolese resistance.England have now advanced to a Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on July 6, but Tuchel’s squad selection is likely to come under renewed scrutiny ahead of that match. With James and Quansah still recovering from injury, the debate over England’s right-back position is expected to continue, while Eze’s influential cameo strengthened the case for a first start at the 2026 World Cup as the Three Lions prepare for their biggest test of the tournament so far.