Well, we managed to get our appointment with DR Congo after three weeks, but we almost received a fatal diagnosis. Why, oh why do England football teams put us through so much agony? I have never screamed so much at my telly since Deidre had an affair with Mike Baldwin in Corrie! All I can say is thank goodness for King Harry the Kane.

As for the game it was a roller coaster of emotions all through. It started in the third minute when Jude Bellingham so nearly caught goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi as he cleared the ball. Two minutes later a cross from Marcus Rashford was too deep for Kane to reach and then two minutes after that, disaster struck! A good pass found Brian Cipenga on the left in acres of space and with not an England player within several yards of him. It was easy for Cipenga to cut in, have time for a meal, and then fire a shot at Jordan Pickford's near post with the goalkeeper too late to get down to save. Just what we didn't want.

For the next ten minutes it was all so easy for the Congo team as they passed the ball around unchallenged by very static England players. There was no positive movement coming from them at all such was the stunned shock of the Congo goal. It was summed up when Declan Rice put a corner too deep that drifted out for a goal-kick, Bellingham's pass was also overhit and Rashford's is easily punched away from danger. England looked fragile at the back too, as the Congo side, playing well it must be said, broke quickly and caused English hearts to flutter every time. England's passing was poor, their control was poor and several passes just went into touch. Bellingham being booked for a late tackle didn't help, although at least he was putting himself about well. Rashford looked half asleep for most of the game and one pass went into touch under his foot. At the first water break there really did look as though there was no way back for England. Thomas Tuchel needed to call this a “Kick up the backside” break!

It did improve a wee bit after the restart and Noni Madueke was blatantly pushed over in the box, but nothing given and no VAR used. A free-kick by Rice hits a bemused Ezri Konsa and goes out for another goal-kick, whilst Bellingham's header was the first of the brilliant saves by Mpasi. Kane is then seen helping out in defence as England's back line was all over the place. England's build up is slow and predictable and easy to defend against and if we thought earlier performances were poor this one was even worse. Then, after 35 minutes Rashford should have scored but his shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

But then came the moment that probably cost DR Congo the match as on 42 minutes Congo should have doubled their lead, A cross from the right gave a perfect chance for Newcastle's Yoane Wissa but it was inexplicably lost as his close range tap-in hit the post when it seemed much easier for him to score. That was a really lucky let off for England.

Straight away England attacked the other end and how Kane, who was brought down, did not gain a penalty no-one can convince me as it was a stonewaller! Bellingham was then thwarted again by another fine Mpasi save from his header and then the goalkeeper excelled himself once more with yet another great save, this time from Kane's effort. As the half-time whistle blew it looked as though it was going to be one of those days, with Mpasi beginning to get on my nerves!

Congo looked dangerous every time they attacked, and although we had chances there was always a goalkeeper having the game of his life in the way. On 51 minutes Rashford cut inside but hit the side netting with his shot. And then my telly lost the picture for a few seconds, but that was enough to miss Bellingham seeing the goalkeeper make another fabulous save from him. Thank goodness for replays, although there was not much change in the England display as Rashford makes a hash of another cross, the second balls are not being reached, there is no urgency and the poor display went on. At that point the ineffective Rashford and Madueke were both taken off and Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon were sent on. We all wondered if it would make a difference?

It was still too easy for Congo as the walking football of England allowed Cipenga to see his shot deflected over the bar and the second water break gave us a little respite from the agony. After his really poor display Djed Spence was substituted for Eberechi Eze, leaving Rice to move to the right-back spot. The game had reached the 75 minute mark and suddenly, completely out of the blue, England finally equalised, and it was that man Kane yet again. Rice centred and the ball reached Gordon who quickly chipped a centre back into the box where Kane timed his run and header to perfection and, at last, Mpasi was beaten.

The goal lifted spirits all round the stadium and four minutes later Elliot Anderson chipped a good effort just over, Gordon was pushed down for a free-kick and the crosses came in regularly from England at this stage, but our fragile defence were still prone to one of the swift breaks. You could, however, sense that the Congo were just a little edgy after England's changes as they were making a difference. Gordon just couldn't get up quite high enough when another cross came in, but then in the 86th minute, SALVATION!!!

England saw Bellingham again foiled by a great save but the rebound was picked up by Gordon who fed Kane in the inside-right channel. Kane cleverly manoeuvred space onto his right-foot and no goalkeeper on earth would have stopped the shot that followed. Like everyone else I screamed, threw my notes in the air and then realised I was worn out!

For the remainder Kane's next shot well over was more of a time waster as the clock ticked down, but then Bellingham blotted his copybook with a needless foul on the edge of our box. We waited with baited breath but luckily the free-kick flew over the bar.

What a night. Is it the travelling, is it the manager, is it the heat, is it the line-up, what is causing so many of our top players to look so poor? And did you notice that Pickford only had one save to make and he missed that. Whatever it is that is ailing us, we must sort things out before the Mexico game otherwise it really will be the last hurrah.
 

Source Notes