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  "path": "/2026/07/02/dr-congo-announce-death-head-coachs-father-moments-england-world-cup-game-29010304/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-02T06:53:28.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "England men's football team",
    "Harry Kane",
    "World Cup",
    "England",
    "Thomas Tuchel",
    "Sign up now",
    "Portugal",
    "supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
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  "textContent": "The DR Congo media team confirmed the news during Desabre’s press conference (Picture: Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)\n\nDR Congo announced the death of their head coach’s father moments after his side’s World Cup defeat to England.\n\nThe African nation stunned the Three Lions by taking the lead inside seven minutes and almost pulled off an upset for the ages in their last 32 clash.\n\nHarry Kane spared England’s blushes, scoring twice late on to send Thomas Tuchel’s side through to the last 16 where they will meet Mexico.\n\nDR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre masterminded his side’s brave performance with his forward-thinking tactics surprising many observers and catching England out until they finally got a grip of the game.\n\n##  Don't miss a World Cup moment\n\nEngland's hero (Picture:Getty)\n\nWhat a rollercoaster this has been. Make sense of the drama with **Metro's** free daily newsletter, featuring England updates, match previews and exclusive analysis. Sign up now.\n\nIt was the nation’s first appearance in the World Cup since 1974, then known as Zaire, bowing out having also held Portugal to a draw in their opening match having also beaten Uzbekistan.\n\nBut the proud moment was accompanied by tragedy with it emerging Desabre’s father had passed away.\n\nIt was unclear when exactly the DR Congo boss had learned of his father’s passing but a media officer for the nation confirmed the news at the end of his post-match press conference on Wednesday evening.\n\nTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo\n\nUp Next\n\nPrevious Page\n\nNext Page\n\nSpeaking in French, the media officer said: ‘Thank you but we are announcing that the coach has lost his father. So sincere condolences.’\n\nDesabre’s smiling expression immediately changed to one of shock, responding ‘thank you’ before getting up and leaving.\n\nCongo took a shock lead early in the game (Picture: REUTERS)\n\nEarlier in the press conference, Desabre spoke with pride over his side’s performance having led England for over an hour.\n\n‘When you represent the national ​team you have to leave a good image behind and this I believe we did,’ ​said Desabre.\n\n‘We are more proud than disappointed. We are disappointed to be leaving the World ​Cup of course but we scored five goals in the tournament and played much ​higher-ranked teams and managed good results.’\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "DR Congo announce death of head coach’s father moments after England World Cup game"
}