Scouting DR Congo - where England can win the game

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Scouting DR Congo - where England can win the gameImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa is among the more well-known DR Congo playersByUmir Irfan Football tactics correspondentPublished4 hours agoIn the knockout stages of a major tournament, there is a genuine risk of elimination irrespective of the opposition. Germany's elimination at the hands of Paraguay - a team that started the World Cup losing 4-1 to Mauricio Pochettino's USA - proves that point well. England's next opponents, DR Congo, finished their group in third place, beating Uzbekistan, drawing to Portugal and losing to Colombia, but how do they play and what challenges might they pose against head coach Thomas Tuchel's men?

DR Congo face England on Wednesday (17:00 BST), live on One and iPlayer. Throughout the tournament so far, they have set up in a 5-3-2 formation, a shape that has been consistent both on and off the ball. Their average possession so far sits at 38.

The Details

8% which pales in comparison to England's 65. 7% - second only to Spain (70. This suggests that DR Congo are a stubborn defence-first team looking to spring counter-attacks on their opposition.

And while this is mostly true, they are surprisingly front-footed in how they defend. This could change against England, but against both Portugal and Columbia, opponents that dominated the ball, DR Congo pressed high against them from goal-kick situations. From their defensive block, they look to hold their line higher than you would expect from a team with 38% possession, not dropping into their own box as often.

There is also a tendency for their players to apply pressure, particularly to the player on the ball, and nearby team-mates around the ball. All of these decisions, although more proactive than simply camping in their own box, are quirks England could look to exploit. Image caption, Although they have defended well, it is not uncommon to see DR Congo set up their 5-3-2 shape as high as this.

What Experts Say

This keeps teams away from their goal, but it does make them vulnerable to long passes over the topFrom goal-kicks, we can see DR Congo's two strikers and three midfielders take advanced positions looking to press the opposition's keeper, centre-backs and holding midfielder. Their wing-backs are tasked with pressing the full-backs and in defence, the three centre-backs are left to defend against three attackers. They are ready to go man-to-man everywhere, which plays into England's hands.

While the pressure could force an England error but with a squad used to dealing with high presses particularly at club level in the Premier League, Tuchel will be hoping their technical quality does not fail them. Where England may get some joy is in using wide full-backs in these deeper areas of the pitch. The idea being, by playing low, the marking DR Congo wing-backs have to press across larger distances.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.