Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDR Congo's goalkeeper may have given England fans nightmares this evening, after a dominant performance between the sticks.By the 60th minute, Lionel Mpasi Nzau had made four saves, but all important ones.In addition, those four saves prevented an xG of 1.23, over 0.30 xG per shot, as he kept the Three Lions at bay.Play our FREE match predictor below and win �1kWho is DR Congo's goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi Nzau?Mpasi Nzau is a Ligue 1 shot-stopper, for Le Havre in French football's top-flight.The Congolese goalkeeper is not a starter for his club side, however, he has displayed heroics when given the chance. You may like Who is DR Congo's manager? DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad: Sebastian Desabre's final selection Who is DR Congo human statue 'Lumumba Vea'? In February, Mpasi Nzau was substituted on at half-time in Le Havre's match against Toulouse.In 45 minutes, he made five saves, four of which came from shots inside the box, and prevented an xG of 1.38.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.As a result, Le Havre won the match 2-1, with two of those saves coming in the 93rd and 98th minute.In Ligue 1 last season, Mpasi Nzau played just four games, but averaged 3.8 saves per match and prevented 2.34 goals.For DR Congo, his best game of the tournament came in a 1-0 loss to Colombia, when the shot-stopper got his hand on eight attempts. What to read next Who is Adham Makhadmeh? The referee in charge of England vs DR Congo England vs DR Congo prediction: Can Three Lions overcome first knockout hurdle to set up Mexico clash? England 1-1 DR Congo live: Battle for the last 16 as Harry Kane breaks Leopards' defensive resilience The goalkeeper was previously in Ligue 2 with Rodez FC for six seasons, between the years of 2019 and 2025.Mpasi Nzau, who has never played club football outside of France, represented the French national team at U-17 level in 2011.After being benched for all five matches at the U-17 FIFA World Cup, he was called up for DR Congo ten years later, during qualifying for the tournament in 2021.Mpasi Nzau didn't make his first appearance for the national side until 2023, where he won Man of the Match in a 2-0 victory against Gabon, during Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.Since then, he been the starting goalkeeper for Sebastien Desabre's side, featuring in every match for DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup.TOPICSWorld Cup 2026Kedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
