DR Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe has admitted that his side are devastated after their 2-1 defeat to England brought their World Cup campaign to a close. Tuanzebe said the players were left kicking themselves for not putting the game beyond reach in the first half, while head coach Sebastien Desabre commended his team for their courageous showing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium despite the disappointing result.

Frustration builds after wasted chances

Tuanzebe expressed deep regret over the heartbreaking loss, acknowledging that DR Congo missed their chance to seal the game early. The African side took a surprise lead in the seventh minute through Brian Cipenga but failed to make the most of their advantage against top-tier opposition. England captain Harry Kane turned the game around with two goals in the final 15 minutes to secure victory.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Tuanzebe said, “Ultimately, we’re kicking ourselves because we felt we should’ve definitely seen the game out. We probably should’ve finished it in the first half as well, but it wasn’t meant to be for us today. We’ll take this and think about how we can build for future tournaments.”

Lessons from unrelenting pressure

England’s sustained attacking pressure eventually broke DR Congo’s resistance, even though the African side managed to hold a 1-0 lead at half-time despite England dominating 60 percent of possession. Tuanzebe pointed out the immense challenge of enduring wave after wave of attacks under the officiating of referee Adham Makhadmeh, highlighting how tough it was to sit deep against a team that produced 16 shots and seven big chances.

“I think we’ll definitely learn from this and keep playing on the front foot, especially early in matches,” Tuanzebe added. “When you’re defending continuous attacks against players of this calibre, they will find a way through—and they did today.”

Desabre reflects on late heartbreak

Coach Sebastien Desabre echoed Tuanzebe’s words, describing his frustration at conceding two late goals but also expressing immense pride in his players’ efforts. DR Congo had done well to reach the knockout stage of the competition, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams from Group K with four points—behind Colombia and Portugal.

Desabre acknowledged the difference in tournament experience between the sides. “We are disappointed because we believed in ourselves,” he said. “We played a good match, but at the end, we conceded two chances, and one of the best players in the world scored twice against us. It’s a shame, but I have to congratulate my players for what they showed. They’ve gained valuable experience playing against a team like that.”

Looking ahead for DR Congo

Despite the painful exit, Desabre remains positive about the future. He emphasised that learning from such moments is part of football’s growth process. The team will now focus on regrouping for upcoming competitions, while England move on to face Mexico in the Round of 16 after their dramatic comeback win.