Jordan Pickford blamed as DR Congo stun England fans in Atlanta
DR Congo stunned England fans in Atlanta when an early World Cup goal beat Jordan Pickford at his near post, and Sky News footage captured the shock in the stands. Alan Shearer later slammed the Everton keeper via MSN, while Jude Bellingham's frustration spilled into a booking calmed by Reece James.
Key Takeaways
- DR Congo's opener in Atlanta sent shockwaves through England supporters, with fan reactions captured on Sky News.
- Alan Shearer said Jordan Pickford, a keeper of his quality, should not have been beaten at his near post.
- Jude Bellingham was booked for a reckless challenge on Nathanaël Mbuku after England fell behind early.
- Injured full-back Reece James pulled Bellingham aside during the drinks break to calm him down.
- Thomas Tuchel also spoke to Bellingham as tensions ran high inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
How did fans react when DR Congo scored in Atlanta?
Sky News broadcast video of supporters reacting to DR Congo's goal during the World Cup round-of-32 tie in Atlanta, Georgia. The footage captured the raw mood inside the stadium as England suddenly found themselves trailing.
According to coverage tied to the match, England went a goal behind inside the opening 10 minutes. The Sun reported a horror start for Thomas Tuchel's side, with DR Congo taking the lead in the seventh minute. That early setback turned anticipation into anxiety for travelling fans watching the Three Lions labour.
Alan Shearer, speaking as a BBC pundit in reporting carried by MSN, noted the visible shock on England players' and fans' faces. For supporters in Atlanta and viewers at home, the moment was less celebration than disbelief.
Why is Jordan Pickford facing criticism after the DR Congo goal?
The spotlight fell quickly on Jordan Pickford once DR Congo found the net. Shearer's verdict, relayed through MSN, was blunt: Pickford was beaten at his near post on the opener, and for a goalkeeper of his standing, he should not have been.
Shearer acknowledged England were defensively disorganised, with Djed Spence unable to make a decisive tackle. Yet he still called out Pickford directly, arguing the near-post finish was one a keeper of his quality is expected to keep out. It was a rare individual rebuke from a former England captain who seldom singles out one player.
The criticism matters because Pickford has been England's first-choice stopper through major tournaments. An early error against a lower-ranked opponent in a knockout match raises questions about composure when the margins are thinnest. For more on how high-profile cases split public opinion, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries coverage.
What sparked Jude Bellingham's yellow card and Reece James intervention?
England's frustration did not stay confined to the stands. The Sun reported that Jude Bellingham was booked in the 20th minute for a reckless tackle on Nathanaël Mbuku, lashing out after the team's poor start.
Reece James, ruled out of the match through injury but present at the stadium, used the first-half hydration break to calm the midfielder down. Footage described by The Sun showed James grabbing Bellingham by the shoulder and speaking to him sternly, with both players covering their mouths during the conversation.
Manager Thomas Tuchel also had words with Bellingham as the Real Madrid star remained visibly riled. The Sun noted Bellingham had been England's best attacking threat in the first half despite the booking, making James's intervention a potentially crucial moment to prevent further discipline.
Where can you watch fan reactions from the DR Congo v England match?
Sky News published video showing how England and DR Congo supporters responded during the tense World Cup encounter in Atlanta. The clip documents the atmosphere as the lead changed hands and emotions swung inside the stadium.
For the primary on-the-ground fan reaction footage, Sky News remains the authoritative source from the stadium. Combined with Shearer's punditry and The Sun's reporting on Bellingham, the episode frames a night when England survived the early blow but not the scrutiny that followed.