England v DR Congo - World Cup result as Harry Kane's dramatic brace secures Three Lions clash against Mexico in last 16

World Cup / Last 32
Atlanta Stadium / 01.07.2026
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CAPTAIN KANE TO THE RESCUE AS ENGLAND PROGRESS TO WORLD CUP LAST 16
England completed a dramatic late turnaround to come from behind and beat DR Congo 2-1 through a Harry Kane brace in a thrilling World Cup last-32 clash.
The Three Lions were on the brink of a shocking early exit until their talisman produced two moments of superb quality to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
DR Congo went ahead within seven minutes of the game when Brian Cipenga stunned England as his effort caught Jordan Pickford out at his near post.
Jude Bellingham proved to be England’s biggest threat in the first half with two headers which nearly found their way past the superb Lionel Mpasi, who made numerous fantastic saves to keep Thomas Tuchel's side at bay.
Marcus Rashford had a shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and England were controversially denied a penalty just before the break when Kane took a touch past Mpasi in the box and went down claiming to have been fouled, but the referee waved away the incessant appeals.
Yoane Wissa nearly doubled DR Congo's lead on the stroke of half-time, his close range effort hitting the post.
England came out lacking urgency, and were very lacklustre until after the hydration break. Kane met substitute Anthony Gordon's cross in the 75th minute to equalise - and send the nation into rapture.
From that moment, the momentum completely shifted, and Kane put England ahead in the 86th minute when he rifled a sensational effort from the edge of the box which flew past Mpasi into the top corner.
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Image credit: Getty Images

The win means England will meet the co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in a mouthwatering clash at 1am kick-off UK Time on Monday 6 July.
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ENGLAND'S HERO

FULL TIME: ENGLAND 2-1 DR CONGO
England have turned it around, and secured a dramatic win for a place in the Round of 16!
Harry Kane has delivered again for his country, as his brace completed the turnaround after DR Congo were ahead for over an hour.
A thrilling game from start to finish! The Three Lions are through!

90+6'
WISSA'S FREE KICK GOES OVER
The Newcastle forward gets his free kick over the wall, but it lacks precision and flies over the bar.
Is that it?
90+5'
DR CONGO FREE KICK IN DANGEROUS POSITION
The Leopards have been unable to keep the ball and push up the field to threaten England's defense since the goal.
Wissa has now won a free kick in a good position from around 30 yards out, is this their last chance?
90'
SIX MINUTES ADDED TIME
England have six minutes to hold on!
A defensive substitution, John Stones comes on for Declan Rice.
J. Stones
Substitution in
J. Stones
England
England
D. Rice
Substitution out
D. Rice
England
England
86'
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KANE PUTS ENGLAND AHEAD! ENGLAND 2-1 DR CONGO
The captain has done it again! A brilliant goal by England's talisman, who gets away from his defender to free up some space and rifles a superb effort from the edge of the box into the top right corner.
An unstoppable shot and England have turned it around! What an end to the game!

H. Kane
Goal
H. Kane
England
England
81'
IT'S ALL ENGLAND NOW
A huge momentum shift after the goal! The Congo defence looks far more uncomfortable, and there is a lot more penetration in the Three Lions attack.
75'
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KANE SCORES! ENGLAND 1-1 DR CONGO
The nation erupts as the captain has given England a lifeline! Anthony Gordon clips in a delightful ball from the left, Kane shows world class movement to find the space in the box and directs his header into the bottom corner past Lionel Mpasi.
Can the Three Lions now find the winner?

H. Kane
Goal
H. Kane
England
England
70'
ATTACKING SUBSTITUTION FOR ENGLAND
Djed Spence is replaced by Eberechi Eze, and it looks like Declan Rice has dropped into the right back position.
E. Eze
Substitution in
E. Eze
England
England
D. Spence
Substitution out
D. Spence
England
England
68'
SECOND HALF HYDRATION BREAK
Has the hydration break come at a good time? Tuchel needs to inspire his players as England are really lacking any sort of urgency despite being on the verge of World Cup elimination.
Can one of these players become a national hero? Or will they be going home?
63'
LONG DISTANCE EFFORT BY MBUKU
Mbuku cuts in from the right and curls in a very decent effort from distance which was heading towards the top right corner, but Elliott Anderson's header clears it away.
60'
TUCHEL MAKES TWO CHANGES
There are the substitutions! Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka come on for Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke.
B. Saka
Substitution in
B. Saka
England
England
N. Madueke
Substitution out
N. Madueke
England
England
59'
ENGLAND STRUGGLING TO CREATE MOMENTUM
After a positive start to the second half, DR Congo have begun to regain possession in the last five or so minutes and England have lost their attacking momentum.
Is it time for changes?
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Image credit: Getty Images

53'
ANOTHER MAGNIFICENT SAVE BY MPASI
Mpasi with yet another superb save! Bellingham goes down the outside of Wan-Bissaka and his cross takes a massive deflection. Mpasi is wrong footed, but he dives to his right and pushes the ball off the line.
BIG CHANCE FOR RASHFORD
Rashford powers into the box before firing a left footed effort from close range which crashes into the side-netting. Could he have done better?
49'
SET PIECES ENGLAND'S BIGGEST THREAT?
Declan Rice has created a couple of threatening chances from corners at the start of the second half.
Is that their best chance of getting the equaliser?
46'
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BACK UNDERWAY
DR Congo get the second half underway. Can England rescue their World Cup campaign?
A GOOD OMEN?
England are unbeaten against African teams at the FIFA World Cup – in their nine matches, they have won five and drawn four.
Will this change today?
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Image credit: Getty Images