Thomas Tuchel is done experimenting. England’s manager is rolling with Marcus Rashford from the start against DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32 later today, and honestly it’s about time.
Rashford didn’t just earn his place on this squad. He earned it all season long with Barcelona, bagging 14 goals and 14 assists while helping the Blaugrana hold onto their La Liga crown. That’s not a fluke. That’s a guy who looks like the player everyone thought he’d become a few years ago.
But Tuchel got cute in the group stage. Anthony Gordon got the start against Croatia, and sure, Rashford came off the bench to score the fourth goal in a 4-2 win. Fine. Then Gordon started again against Ghana and did basically nothing. England couldn’t score at all. It finished 0-0, and you had to wonder what Tuchel was waiting for.
He finally started Rashford in the Panama match. England won 2-0. Rashford looked sharp. That punched England’s ticket to the knockout rounds, and now Tuchel is sticking with what works.
David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed the lineup: Rashford keeps his place. Noni Madueke starts on the wing too, with Bukayo Saka still managing his fitness. Declan Rice returns after sitting out the Panama game. Morgan Rogers, who got the surprise start against Panama, is headed back to the bench.
On the back line, Djed Spence from Tottenham is expected to start. Reece James and Jarell Quansah are out with injuries.
The stakes here are pretty straightforward. Beat DR Congo and England faces Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the round of 16. That’s a game with serious atmosphere and real history. Lose, and the whole thing is over.
Tuchel has been cautious with this squad. Maybe too cautious at times. But the Rashford decision suggests he’s finally letting his best players play. And honestly, that’s the only way England is getting past Mexico anyway.
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