England player ratings: Thomas Tuchel and Three Lions star rated 1/10 and three players get 2/10 as ‘sensational’ Harry Kane shines 

England survived a huge World Cup scare against DR Congo as a Harry Kane double sealed a 2-1 win to sneak into the round of 16.

But talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham claimed the Three Lions were abject and the manner of the performance left a lot to be desired.

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The Three Lions won their first World Cup match after coming from behind for the first time football came home in the 1966 final.

Thomas Tuchel‘s side were stunned by an early Brian Cipenga strike, and took half an hour to register their first attempt on goal.

England captain Harry Kane was then denied a stonewall penalty just before time after referee Adham Makhadmeh claimed he’d dived.

However, the country’s talisman and record scorer rescued the Three Lions from suffering the most humilating defeat in their history.

A bullet header from Kane from an Anthony Gordon cross finally broke Lionel Mpasi’s resistance, and then a rocket late on sealed it a showdown with Mexico in the last 16.

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Thomas the blank engine

Durham claimed Manchester City would have been raising their eyebrows after shelling out a British transfer record for Elliot Anderson.

Usually England’s engine in the middle of the park, the voice of talkSPORT admitted it was the worst he’s ever seen Anderson play.

But the 23-year-old shared his 1/10 player rating with his manager Tuchel, who had been insistent on his side play like a Premier League team.

“Didn’t realise he meant Burnley,” was the brutal summation from Durham.

“His plan is to hope Jude Bellingham or Kane get England through. Is that all you’ve got mate?”

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Pic that one out

Jordan Pickford never lets England down has been a famous mantra levelled at the Everton goalkeeper throughout his career.

The 32-year-old has kept more clean sheets at major tournaments than any other shot-stopper for the Three Lions.

However, Pickford poured fuel on the flames lit by his critics that he’s not at the level England needed to win the World Cup.

Emmanuel Petit said on talkSPORT following the 4-2 win over Croatia: “If you want to go until the end, you need to have one of the strongest goalkeepers in the competition.

“I’m not really confident with him. With the ball at his feet, especially on the line, sometimes when he goes for a free kick or corner, I always have the feeling that something could happen.”

And after just six minutes against Congo, something did happen – as Brian Cipenga’s near-post shot squirmed underneath Pickford.

Given a measly two by Durham, who said: “Poor for the goal, awful distribution, shouts at everyone else should start shouting at himself.”

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Pickford shared that 2/10 rating with Marc Guehi, who Durham argued that it is ‘now time for him to be a leader now’.

His Man City teammate Nico O’Reilly only marginally did better with a 3/10, which was the same score handed to Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa.

Djed Spence, was replaced by Declan Rice for the last 20 minutes, wasn’t blamed for Congo’s goal as he ‘had two players to cover’.

Nevertheless, the dynamic defender ‘without much quality’ per Durham, was knocked down to a five despite being ‘tough to mark.

He added at half-time: “Jude Bellingham running off down the tunnel and the rest are slouching… [Noni] Madueke has had so much of the ball but no end product but he’s barely played. Spence looks tired and he barely plays for Spurs, how can you be tired?”

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You’re a wizard Harry

Where would England be without Harry Kane? Well, that’s the question that Stuart Pearce asked after the striker’s stunning double.

He said: “Harry Kane is the one shining light, the minerals from him.

“My goodness, do we rely on this fella? What a captain.”

The two wingers that started either side of him, Marcus Rashford, and Madueke, were both given a 2/10.

This only further highlights how much England needed’ sensational’ – as Durham described him – Kane to stand up and perform and he was rightly awarded man of the match with a 9/10, with Anthony Gordon (7) assisting both of his goals.