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FT · World: World Cup · Wednesday, 01 July 2026

England 21 Congo DRMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Wednesday, 01 July 2026

England
21
England win
Congo DR
> Model verdict
✓ Model called it

Pre-match, Bawler had England at 60%, draw at 26%, Congo DR at 14%. The match ended 2-1 — confirming the model's lean toward England.

> Pre-match probability vs result
England win
60%
Actual ✓
Draw
26%
DR win
14%
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
1.950.85
Total 2.80
Actual
21
Total 3 (+0.2 vs xG)

Total goals landed close to the model's expectation — within 0.2 of forecast. Suggests this match played to the underlying xG balance.

> Bawler's picks · how they landed
Banker
Over 1.5 Goals
Pre-match: 81%
✓ Won
Dark Horse
Over 3.5 Goals
Pre-match: 26%
✗ Lost
> What we said pre-match
"Over 1.5 Goals sits at 81% because England's 1.95 xG dwarfs Congo DR's 0.85, giving the hosts a decisive 1.10 edge in shot quality."

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