Harry Kane struck twice in the closing stages to spare England one of the most damaging defeats in their World Cup history, as Thomas Tuchel‘s side overturned a first-half deficit to beat DR Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and secure a place in the round of 16. The Three Lions were within 15 minutes of a humiliating group-stage exit before their captain intervened with two decisive strikes.
DR Congo’s Early Advantage and England’s Struggles
DR Congo opened the scoring through Brian Cipenga, immediately placing England under pressure and exposing the fragility of Tuchel‘s attacking setup. For long stretches of the contest, the English side produced a largely uninspiring display, unable to break down a compact and disciplined Congolese defensive block. The threat of an embarrassing early elimination from the 2026 World Cup grew more real with every passing minute.
England’s failure to generate consistent chances reflected a broader pattern of underperformance that had defined their tournament so far. Despite periods of possession, the team lacked the sharpness and creativity to seriously threaten a resolute DR Congo backline, leaving their hopes increasingly reliant on a moment of individual brilliance.
Mpasi’s Heroics and the Missed Opportunity
A central reason for England’s prolonged inability to equalise was the exceptional performance of DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who produced a string of outstanding saves to frustrate the English attack. The shot-stopper — second choice at Le Havre in France — delivered a display that far exceeded expectations, repeatedly denying England when a goal seemed inevitable.
The most consequential moment of the first half arrived when Yoane Wissa struck the post with the goal completely open just before the break. That miss proved to be a turning point: a goal at that moment would almost certainly have ended England’s World Cup campaign. The reprieve kept Tuchel‘s side in contention and preserved the possibility of a comeback.
Kane’s Double Rescues England
With the clock winding down, Kane delivered the equaliser in the 75th minute — a powerful header that finally beat Mpasi after the goalkeeper had frustrated England for so long. The chance was created by substitute Anthony Gordon, whose cross from wide gave the England captain the opportunity to direct the ball into the net.
Just four minutes before the final whistle, Kane produced an even more remarkable piece of individual quality. Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he turned sharply to shake off the DR Congo defenders, drove forward, and unleashed a right-footed strike at around 60 mph that flew into the top corner past Mpasi. It was his fifth goal of the 2026 World Cup — a finish that showcased the full range of his abilities as a complete centre-forward.
Gordon’s Contribution and What Lies Ahead
While Kane dominated the headlines, Anthony Gordon deserves recognition for his impact after coming on as a substitute. Having had a quiet World Cup up to that point, he was directly involved in both goals — providing the cross for the header and contributing to the move that produced the winner. His performance highlighted the importance of squad depth in high-pressure knockout football.
England now advance to face co-hosts Mexico at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in the round of 16, scheduled for Monday, 6 July (01:00 BST). The venue carries deep historical significance for England — it was the scene of their 1986 World Cup quarter-final loss to a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina. The match will also be contested at altitude, adding a further physical dimension to what is already set to be an emotionally charged occasion.
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