World Cup: Thomas Tuchel Went Ballistic at Djed Spence During England vs DR Congo

World Cup: Thomas Tuchel Went Ballistic at Djed Spence During England vs DR Congo

Footage Shows Thomas Tuchel Going Ballistic at England Ace During World Cup Win vs DR Congo
England manager Thomas Tuchel looks worried vs Croatia England manager Thomas Tuchel via REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
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Matthew Guyett is a journalist for GiveMeSport, covering news and features primarily focused on the Premier League and European football.

He graduated from the University of Essex in 2022 with a Creative Writing degree before joining GiveMeSport as a freelancer in August 2024.

Matthew began his writing career with Sportskeeda in 2022, working for their European football team for nearly three years, where he covered news, transfers, match reports, and fan reactions. He became one of their most widely read writers, and his work has garnered over 25 million reads, including a viral story that garnered 724,000 reads.

An apoplectic Thomas Tuchel lost his head at one of his England players during the nervy 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo.

The Three Lions needed Harry Kane to come up with a brace to beat the spirited African nation, who led for 75 minutes. Brian Cipenga gave the Congolese a shock lead in the seventh minute, and Tuchel’s men were poor during the first half.

Kane’s first goal came in the 75th minute when he met Anthony Gordon’s cross with a superb header. The Bayern Munich frontman then fired home an 86th-minute winner to send his country through to the last 16 of the World Cup where they meet Mexico on Monday.

England got the job done, but there are now widespread debates over who should start at the Azteca. Judging by Tuchel’s reaction during the game, he might be about to wield the axe on one of his starters.
England 2-1 DR Congo: Tuchel Furious With Spence
Thomas Tuchel during the 2026 World Cup game between England and Ghana REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

With England chasing the game on the hour mark, frustration was written all over Tuchel’s face. He lost his temper at Djed Spence while shouting orders to the Tottenham Hotspur man.

Spence started the game at right-back due to the injury crisis, which has seen Tino Livramento withdraw from the squad. Reece James is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, limiting Tuchel’s options.

Tuchel opted to bring Spence off minutes after his angry outburst at the Spurs star, who is being used as a makeshift right-back. It’s raised doubts over the 25-year-old continuing in the starting lineup ahead of the trip to the Azteca to face Mexico.

You can watch the incident involving Tuchel and Spence below:
This isn’t the first time Tuchel has lost his patience with Spence, as he angrily ordered the full-back to ‘give and go’ in the 0-0 stalemate against Ghana. His decision to pick the Spurs defender in his 26-man squad caused debate before the tournament and there are now question marks over his place in the starting lineup.
England’s Right-Back Dilemma
Djed Spence (England) vs DR Congo at World Cup Brett Davis via Action Images via Reuters

England headed into the tournament with two right-backs selected as Livramento and James made Tuchel’s 26-man squad. That’s despite the pair enduring recurring injuries in recent seasons and concerns about their fitness for the World Cup.

Tuchel claimed that nobody saw James’ hamstring injury coming, which surprised many English fans who are well aware of his injury record. The Chelsea captain rarely plays more than once a week for his club, and his injury is a massive blow.

Livramento withdrew ahead of the opening 4-2 win over Croatia due to a calf injury. Instead of calling up Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel turned to Trevoh Chalobah, a decision that has proven costly.

Jarell Quansah is another option for Tuchel, as the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back can play at right-back. But he, too, missed the DR Congo win due to a twisted ankle sustained in the 2-0 win against Panama last Saturday.

Tuchel has a big decision to make for the encounter with Mexico on Monday and whether to continue with Spence at right-back. He opted to use Declan Rice in the position after bringing the Spurs man off in the second half today.