Madueke Says Fluency Is England’s Priority Before DR Congo Test

What happened:

Watch the highlights:

Noni Madueke has said England must not take the Democratic Republic of the Congo lightly before Wednesday’s last-32 World Cup tie in Atlanta. The Guardian reports that England are expecting DR Congo to use a counterattacking approach similar to the one Ghana used in last week’s 0-0 group-stage draw in Boston, when England struggled to break down Carlos Queiroz’s side.

The tactical issue is clear: England are not just preparing for an opponent, they are preparing for a game state. If DR Congo sit in, defend in numbers and look to break quickly, England’s attacking fluency becomes the main test. Madueke’s comments frame the knockout tie less as a question of talent and more as a question of tempo, spacing and decision-making in possession.

Why it matters:

England’s tournament position has shifted from group management to elimination football. In the group stage, a flat attacking display can be absorbed if the broader table still works. In the last 32, the same lack of clarity can drag a favourite into a low-margin match, where one transition, set piece or penalty sequence changes everything.

The Guardian also reports that England have practised penalties. That does not mean the match is expected to go that far, but it is a practical signal about the stakes. Against a counterattacking side, England may have long spells on the ball without necessarily creating clean chances. Penalty preparation is part of the risk management around that type of knockout match.

Selection angle:

Madueke started against Croatia and Ghana, then lost his place to Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka for the win against Panama. He described Saka’s presence as healthy competition, according to the source. That makes the right-sided attacking role one of the live selection questions before Atlanta.

The decision is not only about individual form. If England expect DR Congo to defend deep, the choice of wide player affects how quickly England can isolate defenders, combine around the box and stop counters before they develop. Saka’s return for Panama gives the staff one reference point; Madueke’s earlier starts give them another.

Tournament impact:

The confirmed consequence is that England enter a knockout match with their attacking rhythm under scrutiny. The Ghana draw exposed a problem that DR Congo may try to repeat. The Panama win changed the mood, but it did not remove the tactical question.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: Madueke warned against taking DR Congo lightly, England struggled in a 0-0 draw with Ghana, DR Congo are expected to use a similar counterattacking style, England have practised penalties, and Madueke is competing with Saka for a place. What still needs follow-up is England’s actual starting XI and how DR Congo set up once the match begins.