England secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the World Cup 2026 last-32, largely thanks to a late double from captain Harry Kane. The match, held in Atlanta, saw England facing potential elimination before Kane’s decisive interventions in the final 15 minutes of play.
For much of the game, England struggled, with DR Congo taking an early lead in the seventh minute through Brian Cipenga. This put significant pressure on head coach Thomas Tuchel and his squad, who were hoping to advance further in the tournament. The DR Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, delivered a strong performance, making several saves that kept his team ahead for a considerable period.
Kane’s decisive impact
With only 15 minutes remaining, Harry Kane scored his first goal, a header from a cross provided by substitute Anthony Gordon. This goal brought relief to the England camp and their supporters. The momentum shifted, and DR Congo, who had shown resilience throughout the match, appeared to tire.
Just four minutes later, Kane sealed the victory with his second goal. After receiving a pass from Gordon, he maneuvered past a defender and unleashed a powerful right-foot strike past Mpasi. This secured England‘s passage to the last 16, averting what was described as a potential embarrassment for the team and Tuchel.
Kane‘s performance was widely praised, with Tuchel highlighting his captain’s ability to decide matches. Jude Bellingham, an England teammate, also commended Kane‘s consistency and leadership, noting his exceptional form this season.
Kane now has five goals in this World Cup, placing him among the top scorers in the competition, alongside players like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi. His two goals against DR Congo marked the first time an England player scored twice in a World Cup knockout stage match since Gary Lineker in 1990. Kane has now scored five knockout stage goals in World Cup history, with only Lineker having more for England.
Looking ahead to Mexico City
Following their victory, England will now travel to Mexico City to face co-hosts Mexico in the last 16. The match will take place at the iconic Azteca Stadium, a venue known for its challenging conditions, including an altitude of over 7,000 feet.
Mexico has a strong record at home, having lost only two of their past 89 competitive games at the stadium. They have also remained unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches played there. This presents a significant challenge for England, who will need Kane‘s continued leadership and goal-scoring prowess in what is expected to be a hostile environment.
The match against DR Congo saw England make tactical adjustments, with Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka coming on as substitutes in the second half. Eberechi Eze was also introduced, leading to Declan Rice moving to right-back, a change that contributed to the build-up for Kane‘s first goal. The team will aim to build on this hard-fought victory as they prepare for their next encounter in the World Cup.
Kane himself reflected on his journey, stating his childhood dream of playing in the World Cup and his commitment to leading by example for his country. England‘s most recent World Cup memories in Mexico include their 1986 quarter-final defeat against Argentina.
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Source: bbc.com
