Harry Kane scored two second-half goals to rescue England from a humiliating exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they came from behind to beat a stubborn DR Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and book their place in the last 16.
Aiming to end over six decades wait for a major tournament triumph, Thomas Tuchel’s men avoided one of England’s worst-ever World Cup exits thanks to their talismanic captain after Brian Cipenga’s early strike handed Congo the lead.
However, the Three Lions will need to raise their level for the daunting last-16 clash against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
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Already England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer, Kane now has 13 goals in the competition and moves to five for the tournament, keeping himself firmly in the star-studded race for the Golden Boot.
Defeat brought an end to Congo’s fairytale run on their first World Cup appearance in 52 years.
The Leopards had never won a point or scored a goal at the World Cup before this tournament, yet they pushed one of the favourites to the brink of elimination.
Tuchel made two changes from the victory over Panama as Declan Rice returned in midfield, while Djed Spence came in at right-back with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both sidelined through injury.
The German coach’s decision not to include more specialist right-back cover in his 26-man squad will come under greater scrutiny after Congo exploited that flank to take the lead.
Spence was caught underneath Chancel Mbemba’s cross, allowing the ball to fall to Cipenga. The Almeria winger’s strike was low and powerful, but Jordan Pickford should still have done better at his near post.
Jude Bellingham was shown a yellow card for a reckless lunge before becoming involved in a heated exchange with Tuchel during the mid-half hydration break. The stoppage at least gave Tuchel the opportunity to restore composure.
Bellingham’s towering header from Declan Rice’s cross finally forced DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi into a save.
Moments later, Marcus Rashford’s fierce effort was cleared off the line by London-born Aaron Wan-Bissaka after Noni Madueke’s dazzling run carved open the Congo defence.
Yet it could have been even worse for England before the interval. Yoane Wissa, whose three group-stage goals helped fire his country into the knockout rounds for the first time, squandered a golden chance to double Congo’s advantage when the Newcastle striker struck the outside of the post from point-blank range.
At the other end, Kane was furious after going to ground while trying to round Mpasi, but the referee waved away his penalty appeals.
Le Havre goalkeeper Mpasi continued his inspired display, diving brilliantly to tip away another powerful Bellingham header before denying Kane from a corner with the final action of the first half.
Despite a bright start to the second period, England began to run out of ideas until Tuchel turned to his attacking options from the bench. Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze were introduced in search of an equaliser.
It was Gordon, the new Barcelona signing, who delivered the cross for Kane to finally beat Mpasi with a downward header 15 minutes from time. Gordon also provided the assist for the 86th-minute winner, but Kane supplied the finish, rifling a thunderous strike into the roof of the net for his 84th international goal.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026