Congo DR face England with nothing to lose

Your moment is here

Monday. England in the Round of 32. No one had Congo DR getting this far, but here you are.

Sébastien Desabre has not hidden from the gap. England are favourites, loaded with talent. But the manager has made tactical adjustments for stronger opponents, and he was blunt: "They are not insurmountable."

Former DRC defender Gabriel Zakuani sees the opening too. There are holes in England, he said. Exploit them.

Wissa and Bakambu hold the key

Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu. The attack runs through them. If Congo are going to produce a shock, that pair has to fire.

Epolo factor

Matthieu Epolo carries something extra into this match. His brother Mbey just sealed a transfer to KSK Heist. Squad morale matters at a World Cup, and the dressing room will be buzzing for him.

Tuchel is not sleeping on you

Thomas Tuchel warned his England players. Germany are out. The Netherlands are out. This is the round where favourites stumble. He stressed patience, because he knows Congo have already defied every prediction to stand here.

Fan-reaktioner

The Reddit threads are leaning in. Congo DR are on a list of 41 nations to ever reach a World Cup knockout round, but your team sits among a small group still chasing that first win at this stage. The mood online is part excitement, part disbelief. One thread captured it simply: you are here, and no one can take that away.