2026 World Cup : Harry Kane rescues England as DR Congo come agonisingly close to a shock
The scoreline doesnt tell the full story. Rattled by the Democratic Republic of Congo, England were pushed to the brink of a surprise exit before Harry Kane dragged them out of trouble. The Three Lions captain struck twice in the final 15 minutes to seal a 2-1 win and book a last-16 meeting with Mexico.
The Leopards made England sweat
The game had started in the best possible way for DR Congo. Taking advantage of a shaky England opening, Brian Cipenga turned in a Chancel Mbemba cross to give his side an early lead.
Far from sitting back, Congo kept pushing for more. Yoane Wissa clipped the post before the break, while Lionel Mpasi was busy denying Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. The Congo keeper kept turning England away for long spells, with his side clinging to that lead.
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Kane eventually made the difference
Thomas Tuchel freshened things up after the hour mark, bringing on Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. It changed the feel of England’s performance. Fifteen minutes from time, Gordon picked out Harry Kane in the box. The striker met it with a header Mpasi had no chance of stopping to level things up. A few minutes later, the pair did the damage again. Found just outside the area, Kane unleashed a fierce drive into the top corner to settle it and send England through.
That brace takes the England forward to 13 World Cup goals. He moves past Pelé in the tournament’s all-time scoring list and joins Just Fontaine.
For England, this was a result with real historical weight too. The Three Lions had not won a World Cup match after going behind since the 1966 final. They will now face Mexico in the last 16, while DR Congo head out of the competition after a performance that will leave them wondering what might have been.
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