England's World Cup survival: Tuchel must fix selection and

England were 15 minutes from one of the most abject humiliations in their World Cup history until Harry Kane's late heroics helped them overcome DR Congo to set up a last-16 clash with Mexico. Kane scored twice to rescue England, as well as head coach Thomas Tuchel, who may not have survived a result that would have ranked alongside the last-16 defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016 and the loss to the United States at the 1950 World Cup as a national embarrassment.

Instead, England's World Cup dream lives on as they head to Mexico City, into a nation alive with passion and football fever, to face the co-hosts in the iconic surroundings of Azteca Stadium. However, the win did not cover cracks exposed regularly in this campaign, as well as obvious flaws in selection and performance.

Over-reliance on Kane and Bellingham

Kane and Jude Bellingham have been England's standout performers at this World Cup, contributing goals and world-class inspiration. The pair were both on target in Group L wins against Croatia and Panama, and they were England's leading lights against DR Congo. It would help England and Tuchel's cause if others could share the burden. As good as Kane and Bellingham are, there will come a day when they do not bail out under-performing teammates and their head coach.

Anthony Gordon had an outstanding impact off the bench with a part in both goals against DR Congo, but it was a frustrating day for Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke, while Tuchel is still clearly wary of over-exerting Bukayo Saka as he manages an Achilles problem. Kane and Bellingham revel in responsibility as England's leaders, but it is about time others shared the burden at this World Cup.

Does Tuchel know his best team?

If Tuchel does know his best team, he is hiding it well – and the amount of shuffling on the flanks and in defence suggests he does not. The right-back position is becoming a poisoned chalice, either because of injuries or loss of form. The sight of Declan Rice, the glue that holds England together as a performer of the highest class in midfield, ending the win against DR Congo at right-back once again hinted at confusion.

Tuchel has self-inflicted wounds because of his selection of two players with a history of injury problems in Tino Livramento and Reece James. Livramento did not even make the World Cup, while there is still no date for James' return from another hamstring injury. Jarell Quansah, a natural central defender for Liverpool and then Bayer Leverkusen, played there against Panama but was injured and missed the victory over DR Congo, when Djed Spence played the first 70 minutes at right-back.

Ex-England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport after that win: "Defensively there were far too many holes in the back four, and when we did give chances away, they scored from their first one, should have scored with the Yoane Wissa one. Putting Declan Rice to right-back worked because he was the one that got forward and played a part in the equaliser, so Tuchel has a decision to make. If you asked me before the game I would have been very reluctant, but he can add a little bit of quality where we have lacked with the players we have picked up to now."

Rice, however, surely offers too much in midfield, so right-back must be a non-starter. If he did actually end up there again it would be an admission by Tuchel that he got his squad horribly wrong. Asked whether Rice should play at right-back, ex-England defender Micah Richards said: "No, I wouldn't. I feel he can give too much in that central midfield area. If you're going into the Mexico game, which is going to be at altitude, you need his energy in midfield. I would go with Ezri Konsa at right-back, and put John Stones alongside Marc Guehi."