Spanish newspapers have declared that England are no longer a threat at the World Cup after watching Harry Kane rescue the Three Lions with two late goals against DR Congo.
England were staring down the barrel of an embarrassing World Cup exit against the African minnows after falling behind in the seventh minute and failing to reply until deep into the second half.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side managed to find a way thanks to captain Kane, who first equalised with a header in the 75th minute before doubling his tally with a remarkable effort 11 minutes later to book England’s spot in the round of 16.
Spanish newspaper Marca isn’t giving England much of a chance of going deep in the knockout bracket however, declaring the Three Lions ‘won’t get very far’ after narrowly edging through.
‘It seemed that with Tuchel on the bench, England would be a different team,’ the outlet reported after the match, referencing how they agonisingly struggled to get over the line in major tournaments under Gareth Southgate.
‘But the truth is, they still give the impression that they’re missing something to truly be a title contender.’
Harry Kane rescued England with a late brace to guide his team to a 2-1 win over DR Congo
The Three Lions ‘won’t get very far’ at the World Cup according to Spanish newspaper Marca
England lost 2-1 to Spain in the Euro 2024 final after exiting the last World Cup at the quarter-final stage against France and losing the previous European Championship in the final against Italy on penalties.
Now, if England are to finally end their 60-year trophy drought and lift the World Cup this summer, they will have to face co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City in the round of 16 before a potential quarter-final against either Brazil or Norway.
Predicting the Selecao to defeat Erling Haaland and Co in the last 16, Marca added: ‘Brazil awaits them, another team that isn’t exactly flying high either, but at least seems to have a much clearer game plan.
‘England’s saving grace is having the best number nine in the world. But that shouldn’t be enough to get them through many more rounds.’
Kane’s superb double took the England captain’s World Cup tally to 13 goals, surpassing Brazilian great Pele to climb to sixth on the all-time list.
The Bayern Munich forward was also controversially denied a penalty late on in the first half after being sent to the floor by DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, with the referee gesturing that it was a dive.
VAR replays clearly showed that Mpasi had made contact with Kane before the Three Lions captain fell to the turf, but still England were not awarded the penalty.
According to Marca, this was an example of VAR being used ‘perfectly’.
‘Why has it taken so long to see VAR used correctly? I don’t know about you, but this is the first time I’ve felt that video assistant refereeing is being used almost perfectly in a major tournament,’ the publication wrote.
England were controversially denied a penalty in the first half after Kane was sent to the floor
Spain and star man Lamine Yamal are preparing to face Austria in the round of 32 on Thursday
‘The non-penalty on Harry Kane is just the latest example. Let the referee decide, and only when it’s blatant should the official be alerted to review a clear error.
‘We’re seeing many minor penalties that don’t even go through VAR, ugly but unintentional stamps that don’t warrant a second look. Football as it used to be.
‘Now all that’s left is for us to forget about hydration breaks, and everything will go back to the way it was.’
Spain, who finished the group stage with the same points tally as England, have yet to advance to the round of 16 at the World Cup, set to face Austria in their first knockout test of the tournament at 8pm BST on Thursday.
The earliest the two could meet at this summer’s World Cup would be in the final.
