DR Congo arrive at their World Cup last-16 clash with England having finished third in their group — defeating Uzbekistan, drawing with Portugal, and losing to Colombia. Despite that modest record, they represent a genuine tactical challenge for Thomas Tuchel's side.

A defence-first setup built on surprise

DR Congo have operated in a consistent 5-3-2 formation throughout the tournament. Their average possession of 38.8 percent stands in stark contrast to England's 65.7 percent — a figure bettered only by Spain's 70.3 percent — confirming DR Congo as a team that largely cedes the ball and looks to hit on the counter.

Yet their defensive approach is more aggressive than that statistic suggests. Against both Portugal and Colombia, sides who dominated possession, DR Congo pressed high from goal-kick situations rather than retreating into a deep block. Their front two and three midfielders take advanced positions, pressuring the opposing goalkeeper, centre-backs, and holding midfielder. The wing-backs press the full-backs, leaving three centre-backs to deal with three attackers in a man-to-man structure across the pitch.

Where England can find space

That pressing structure plays into England's hands in several ways. Tuchel's squad is well-versed in dealing with high presses — particularly through their Premier League experience — and the coach has built his team to invite pressure before, in the words of assistant coach Anthony Barry, "accelerating through the middle third."

By drawing DR Congo's attack and midfield away from their defensive line, England can create space behind for runners. That concept underpins the direct passes that Elliot Anderson and Harry Kane have launched into channels, and it explains why England functioned more fluently against a pressing Croatia than a passive Ghana side.

One specific avenue is through England's wide full-backs. DR Congo's wing-backs must travel large distances to press in wide areas, giving England's full-backs time and space on the ball. Tuchel's "wide units" — the rotating triangles of full-back, midfielder, and winger — could pull DR Congo out of position repeatedly down the flanks.

DR Congo's lack of midfield width also makes them vulnerable to quick horizontal passing. Overloading one side, playing short to draw the press, then switching the ball to the far side could leave an England winger in open space to run at the wing-back one-on-one. Spain used precisely this mechanism to dismantle Saudi Arabia in the group stage.

Throw-ins in the opposition half present another low-risk opportunity. DR Congo have committed multiple players to surrounding throw-in situations throughout this tournament. A quick return pass to the thrower, followed by a long switch of play, could repeatedly put England in promising attacking positions.

In their defensive block, DR Congo's two forwards press the centre-backs while screening passing lanes to the defensive midfielder. If England build with a third player in the first line — as Jarell Quansah did in the previous match — DR Congo's wide midfielder is forced to press, and England can exploit the space that vacates. Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, or Nico O'Reilly could pin the central midfielder inside, freeing an unmarked pass out wide.

DR Congo's own threat

England cannot afford complacency. DR Congo's goal-kick build-up is unconventional — the back three spreads wide to form a back four with the goalkeeper, wing-backs push high, and the remaining midfielders and forwards flood areas where long passes land rather than holding fixed positions. The large spacing between players makes it difficult to press DR Congo cohesively.

And their most dangerous individual, Yoanne Wissa, brings sharp instincts and quick reactions inside the penalty area — a threat capable of punishing any lapse at any level of world football.

With Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, and Noni Madueke all capable of exploiting space in behind, Tuchel will be hoping DR Congo stick to their aggressive pressing plan — and that England have the technical quality to take full advantage of it.