England's World Cup hopes were dealt a significant blow after they fell behind against DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup clash. Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has criticized Jordan Pickford, insisting the goalkeeper should have done better to prevent the opening goal.
Hart analyzed the incident during the half-time coverage, highlighting what he believed was a crucial technical error from Pickford. According to Hart, Pickford's body positioning and footwork were not ideal before the shot was struck.
"His body weight is slightly leaning left," Hart said. "He is confident and has got a good angle and is set. Cipenga drags the finish to Pickford's right, so what he has to do now is get the right leg out from underneath him and push [into the save] on his left leg."
Hart believes that a split-second imbalance stripped Pickford of the necessary explosive force to divert the ball safely away from the net. "As he reaches down with the right hand he has no power in the touch and the ball whips his hand away," Hart added critically. "He hasn’t got the power or timing to get his hand on it."
England's task in the second half is made even more difficult by history. The Three Lions have never won a World Cup match after trailing at half-time. Across nine previous matches in which England have gone into the break behind, they have recorded just two draws and seven defeats.
