Tuchel's Upset Warning: *Underdogs* Thrive Here

Thomas Tuchel won't take DR Congo lightly. The African side held Portugal to a draw and knocked out Uzbekistan—now they face England with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Match Snapshot

• England's top scorersKane 3, Bellingham 2
• DR Congo's Group K finish3rd place
• Congo's result vs PortugalDraw
• StakesRound of 16 berth
• VenueAtlanta, Wednesday

The Trap of Favoritism

Thomas Tuchel knows the script. England are expected to win. DR Congo are the underdogs. And that, the German manager warned, is precisely when things get dangerous.

"I expect a game similar to Ghana, Panama. A physical team—they can play as underdogs, it works for them. We have to accept all that and focus on how it can influence us, and be our best version," Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference.

The pressure is real, but Tuchel embraces it: "I love these situations, it's a privilege to be here. We have to accept we're favorites, they expect us to advance. It is what it is. We prepared in the best way. We just need to be our best version."

Congo's Blueprint: Compact, Direct, Lethal

DR Congo didn't stumble into the knockout stage. They finished third in Group K after holding Portugal, losing to Colombia, and beating Uzbekistan—a campaign built on defensive discipline and quick transitions.

Tuchel has done his homework: "It's a difficult game, a well-coached team that should play 5-3-2 with a compact block, switching between high press and low block. Very good on counterattacks, a team that's not ashamed to play long balls and hunt for the rebound."

That tactical flexibility—sitting deep, then striking fast—has undone bigger names before. England will need to solve it without overthinking.

Kane and Bellingham: England's Twin Engines

Harry Kane has three goals, Jude Bellingham has two. Together they've carried England's attack through the group stage, and Tuchel has no problem with that concentration of firepower.

"It would be ideal, but it's not a problem if they continue (with prominence). You trust your best players. We have many of them, others can appear, they're ready. We'll need everyone," he said.

The subtext is clear: England won't survive on two stars alone. If Congo shuts down Kane and Bellingham, someone else has to step up—or the upset becomes very real.

What's at Stake

• Winner faces Mexico or Ecuador in the Round of 16
• Both teams sit on Brazil's side of the bracket—a potential quarterfinal clash looms
• For England: justify the hype or face another tournament disappointment
• For DR Congo: prove the Portugal draw wasn't a fluke and write World Cup history

FAQ

They finished third in Group K with a draw against Portugal, a loss to Colombia, and a win over Uzbekistan. That record was enough to advance as one of the best third-place teams.

Harry Kane leads with three goals, followed by Jude Bellingham with two. Tuchel insists the supporting cast is ready to contribute, but those two have been the primary goal sources so far.

They're out of the World Cup. This is a straight knockout—no safety net, no second chances. DR Congo, meanwhile, would face the winner of Mexico vs Ecuador next.