Harry Kane struck twice in the closing quarter of an enthralling contest to push England into the World Cup round of 16, completing a 2-1 comeback victory over Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday after the underdogs had taken an early lead.
Key takeaways
- Kane scored two goals in the last 15 minutes to swing the tie in England’s favour.
- England’s captain levelled the match with a 75th-minute header before adding a decisive strike four minutes later.
- Democratic Republic of Congo went ahead through Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener.
- The goals took Kane to five for the tournament and 13 across World Cups, moving him past Pele on the all-time scoring list.
- England will now meet co-hosts Mexico in the last 16 in Mexico City on Sunday.
Kane’s late double overturns Congo’s early advantage
England levelled when Kane nodded in a header in the 75th minute, responding to Congo’s lead that had lasted since Brian Cipenga found the net in the seventh minute. The turnaround was completed when Kane struck again four minutes from time, firing home to secure passage into the knockout stage.
It was Kane’s fifth goal of the tournament and his 13th World Cup tally overall, taking him above Pele at the top of the all-time scoring standings. Speaking after the match, Kane said: “It feels amazing to be honest. What a crazy game. Whoever it is, we have hero moments.”
Congo strike early, England press for answers
Cipenga put Congo in front with a sharp right-footed finish from a narrow angle, beating goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at the near post. The move began from a long ball played by captain Chancel Mbemba, which split England’s back line before the striker converted.
The 28-year-old netted his first international goal with that effort. England, however, dominated stretches of play without turning control into a breakthrough. Declan Rice’s free kick deflected off a defender and drifted narrowly wide, while goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi kept Congo afloat with a sequence of saves aimed at denying Jude Bellingham and Kane.
Mpasi especially stood out with a one-handed stop from a header and another intervention to deny Bellingham shortly after the restart. Marcus Rashford also came close as a chance was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Congo nearly doubled their advantage when Yoane Wissa redirected a cross onto the post.
Substitute impact and a rapid finish seal the comeback
England finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. Kane powered home a header from a cross delivered by substitute Anthony Gordon to level the score. He then struck again four minutes later, driving in from the edge of the penalty area with a shot that travelled close to 100 km/h, completing the reversal and sending the crowd into celebration.
Reaction from England camp and next up vs Mexico
Manager Thomas Tuchel said the match shifted after the early setback. “First shot, first goal. Then it became even more difficult,” Tuchel said. “After the first water break, we were on top of the game. The substitutes came on and put the effort in, and we won it. It was well deserved, but we had to work a lot.”
Kane suggested the win was built on an improvement in England’s attacking output compared with quieter showings earlier in the tournament. “From an attacking point of view, it’s the best performance so far,” he said. “We are in the part of the tournament where we have to grind wins out.”
He also urged his teammates to savour the moment. “I just told the boys to enjoy it. Sometimes as an England player, you don’t celebrate how you should. The same as every other nation, we’re through — enjoy it. Over the 90 minutes, we’re tough to handle.”
There could be further discussion around England’s defensive setup after Tuchel left out extra right-back cover in his 26-man squad. England were supported by a large turnout of 68,239 fans at the match in Atlanta.
The Three Lions will now head to Mexico City to face co-hosts Mexico in Sunday’s last-16 clash.
