England secured a 2-1 victory over DR Congo in a hard-fought World Cup encounter, with captain Harry Kane scoring a crucial brace. The win ensures England’s progression to the Round of 16, where they are set to face co-hosts Mexico.
The match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta saw DR Congo take an early lead in the seventh minute through Brian Cipenga. Despite dominating possession and territory, Thomas Tuchel‘s side struggled to convert their chances until Kane’s impactful performance in the second half.
Kane’s Record-Breaking Performance
Harry Kane‘s two goals not only rescued England from a potential Round of 32 elimination but also marked significant milestones in World Cup history. His first goal, an equaliser in the 75th minute, brought his World Cup tally to 12 goals, drawing him level with Pelé. This goal came after substitute Anthony Gordon delivered a cross into the six-yard area, which Kane headed past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Just 11 minutes later, in the 86th minute, Kane struck again. Following another dangerous ball from Anthony Gordon, Kane reacted quickly in the penalty area to fire a powerful finish into the top-right corner, completing England’s comeback. This second goal moved him to 13 career World Cup goals, surpassing Pelé on the tournament’s all-time scoring list.
The brace also increased Kane’s goal count in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to five, placing him alongside Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, both with six goals, are currently ahead in the race for the tournament’s leading goalscorer.
Impact on England’s World Cup History
Kane’s performance against DR Congo also reshaped England‘s own World Cup records. His two goals in the knockout stage brought his career total in this phase of the tournament to five, moving him past Sir Geoff Hurst, who had four knockout goals since the 1966 World Cup triumph.
Currently, only Gary Lineker, with six World Cup knockout goals, stands ahead of Kane on England‘s all-time list. This leaves Kane just one goal shy of matching another historic national record as England prepares for their next match.
Beyond his World Cup achievements, Kane’s wider international accomplishments continue to grow. He has now scored 20 goals in major international tournaments for England, comprising 13 goals at the FIFA World Cup and seven at the UEFA European Championship. He is also England‘s all-time leading men’s goalscorer with 84 goals in 117 international appearances and holds the record for the most goals scored by an England player at major tournaments.
The Bayern Munich striker, who won the Golden Boot at Russia 2018 with six goals, now has five goals in the current tournament, just one short of his personal best. His display against DR Congo, which included his 15th World Cup start as an outfield player for England, earned him the Superior Player of the Match award.
A Challenging Road Ahead
Despite the victory, the match against DR Congo proved to be a significant challenge for England. Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi delivered an outstanding performance, making a series of saves to deny Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford. The game also featured a controversial moment when a penalty was not awarded to Harry Kane, despite a challenge in the box.
Thomas Tuchel‘s men now face Mexico in the Round of 16, a match that will be played in challenging conditions of heat and altitude, with England playing as the away team. The World Cup has seen several unexpected results, with teams like Japan, DR Congo, and Paraguay pushing more established football nations. The tournament has also showcased a variety of tactical approaches, moving away from a singular style of play.
The departure of teams like Germany and the Netherlands, and Brazil‘s narrow escape against Japan, suggest a potential shift in the traditional power dynamics of the World Cup. With co-hosts Canada and Mexico still in contention, the tournament continues to deliver exciting and unpredictable matches.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming Round of 16 match against Mexico, where England will aim to continue their World Cup journey.
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Source: bbc.com
