Escape from Atlanta: England Survives DR Congo Scare Ahead of Azteca Crucible

The ghosts of past international humiliations were hovering ominously over the Atlanta Stadium. For long, agonizing stretches of their pivotal World Cup 2026 clash, England stared down the barrel of a historic defeat at the hands of a vibrant Democratic Republic of the Congo side. As the clock ticked relentlessly and panic rippled through the disbelieving stands, the Leopards were daring to dream of the greatest upset in tournament history. Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions were teetering on the edge, coming dangerously close to becoming the global punchline. It was a harrowing afternoon that saw pessimistic English fans frantically preparing for an inquest. Nothing seemed to click for a side heavily burdened by expectation. The primary catalyst for their collective frustration was an absolute masterclass from DR Congo’s shot-stopper, Lionel Mpasi. While he might not be the most famous Lionel to ever grace a World Cup pitch, on this humid afternoon in Georgia, he was an immovable object. Channeling the spirit of Poland’s Jan Tomaszewski and his legendary Wembley heroics from 1973, Mpasi thwarted absolutely everything thrown at him. The English frustration visibly boiled over when Harry Kane, desperately battling to keep his Ballon d'Or aspirations alive on the international stage, had a seemingly valid penalty appeal inexplicably waved away by the Jordanian referee. As the second half wore on, England’s multi-million-dollar attack grew increasingly frantic, hopelessly trying to dissect a dreaded, stubborn low block that simply refused to yield. Ultimately, England managed to avert total disaster, salvaging their tournament hopes and dodging a result that would have triggered a root-and-branch review of the national setup. But escaping Atlanta with their lives is merely a temporary reprieve. The real crucible is looming large on the horizon. If Tuchel’s men found it this incredibly difficult to break down DR Congo, the terrifying prospect of navigating the suffocating atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will send shivers down their spines. They will need to be infinitely better, dramatically sharper, and far more composed to survive their next high-altitude test. *(This article is a rewrite based on original reporting by Jacob Steinberg for Guardian Football.)*