Anthony Gordon, Barcelona’s recent signing, made a significant impact in England’s 2-1 comeback victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 2026 World Cup. Coming off the bench in the second half, Gordon provided two key assists to captain Harry Kane, highlighting the forward’s exceptional form this season.
Gordon emphasized Kane’s qualities: "Harry Kane has had a remarkable season, surpassed only by Lionel Messi, who is the greatest footballer of all time. In my view, Kane is the best player ever to wear the England shirt. His ability to score any type of goal is astonishing. Give him the ball anywhere on the pitch, and he will score."
Regarding his own feelings and role, Gordon admitted: "I hate being a substitute. I’m a bundle of nerves waiting for the chance to get on."
Gordon’s energy transformed England’s gameplay soon after he entered: the team looked sharper, more direct, and dangerous in attack. He stressed the team’s belief in securing the win: "Even when we were trailing, I never thought we wouldn’t come back. We trust everyone on the field and work hard in training. We play the way we train. I aimed to be direct, tire out the opposition, and provide the ball to Harry to finish."
Post-match, Kane urged the squad to keep pushing: “This victory doesn't mean we've won the World Cup yet, but we should celebrate it properly. Sometimes you may feel like a great nation with good players and hold back your celebrations, but we shouldn’t. Advancing in the tournament is a huge achievement."
For Barcelona supporters, Gordon’s World Cup performance offers reassurance. His work ethic, team-oriented play, and adaptation under coach Hansi Flick’s high-intensity system indicate promising contributions to the Catalan side in the coming season.
