Kane double fires England to comeback win over DR Congo at World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 News
England Advances to Last 16 After Narrow 2-1 Victory Over DR Congo
ATLANTA (AP) — England overcame a significant scare on Wednesday, defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 to secure a spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup. The match was held at Atlanta Stadium, where Harry Kane scored both goals for England in the final minutes, redeeming his team from a potential upset.
England, striving to end a 60-year drought for a major tournament title, found themselves trailing early in the match after DR Congo’s Brian Cipenga scored in the first half. The goal marked a shocking moment for a side that had not scored in World Cup play for 52 years and had entered the tournament as one of the favorites.
Kane, already England’s all-time leading scorer in World Cups, netted his first goal in the 75th minute with a header. He followed it up five minutes later with a powerful shot that clinched the victory. With these two goals, Kane raised his total to five in the current tournament, keeping him in contention for the Golden Boot.
Despite the win, concerns loom for England as they prepare to face co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16. Manager Thomas Tuchel will need to address several issues highlighted during the game, particularly England’s slow start and defensive vulnerabilities.
The match saw Tuchel field a revised lineup, including Declan Rice and Djed Spence, who replaced injured teammates Reece James and Jarell Quansah. The coaching decision to use Spence as a right-back faced scrutiny after DR Congo exploited that flank for their early goal.
The encounter captivated nearly 70,000 fans, primarily clad in England’s colors, who were left momentarily stunned after DR Congo’s opening goal. The DR Congo side, which had been a feel-good story in the tournament, concluded their campaign with this defeat yet left a mark with their spirited performance.
As the match progressed, Kane’s frustration was evident when he fell in the penalty area after a challenge from the DR Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, who made a series of crucial saves throughout the match. Jude Bellingham’s performance drew attention as well, with a yellow card and a noted conversation with Tuchel during a hydration break.
In the closing minutes, Tuchel made strategic substitutions, introducing Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon, who had an immediate impact. Gordon’s assist for Kane’s second goal solidified his role in the comeback.
“The mindset the players showed was incredible,” Tuchel said after the game. “We kept believing, and even when it was hard, they maintained their patience and faith.”
The clash concluded with England’s advancement and left DR Congo to reflect on a historic return to the World Cup stage, bolstered by their earlier group stage successes, despite the disappointment of this elimination.