England head coach Thomas Tuchel has lauded DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi following his outstanding performance in the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory over the Leopards, describing the shot-stopper as a key reason the contest remained competitive.

The Le Havre goalkeeper produced a string of impressive saves throughout the encounter, frustrating England’s attackers with a series of reflex stops and commanding displays between the posts.

Despite England’s dominance and sustained attacking pressure, Mpasi repeatedly came to DR Congo’s rescue with crucial interventions that prevented the scoreline from becoming more emphatic.

Reflecting on the goalkeeper’s performance after the match, Tuchel acknowledged the challenge Mpasi posed to his side.

“When we were knocking and knocking, the guy [Lionel Mpasi] was incredible, with the kind of saves he had,” Tuchel said.

The 31-year-old emerged as one of the standout performers on the night, combining sharp reflexes, excellent positioning and composure under pressure to keep the Leopards in the contest until the final whistle.

Although DR Congo ultimately fell to defeat, Mpasi’s display earned widespread admiration and reinforced his status as one of the national team’s most dependable performers.

Tuchel’s glowing assessment further underlines the quality of the Congolese international, whose performance is likely to strengthen his growing reputation on the international stage.