England captain Harry Kane rescued England from a stunning World Cup upset as the Three Lions came from behind to defeat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32.
Match Report
England looked destined for one of their most embarrassing tournament exits since the Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo an early advantage in the seventh minute.
Lionel Mpasi produced a series of excellent saves to maintain his side’s lead, but Kane eventually broke through in the 75th minute, heading home Anthony Gordon’s cross to level the score.
The pair combined again in the closing stages, with Kane smashing Gordon’s pass into the top corner four minutes from full-time to secure England’s place in the last 16, where they will meet co-hosts Mexico.
DR Congo shocked England with their opener when Chancel Mbemba’s cross-field pass found Cipenga unmarked inside the area, and Jordan Pickford could only watch as the effort slipped past him at the near post.
England struggled to find rhythm and faced criticism from supporters during the first cooling break. Their first real opportunity arrived soon after, as Ezri Konsa diverted Declan Rice’s free-kick narrowly wide.
Rice later delivered another dangerous ball that Jude Bellingham met with a powerful header, only for Mpasi to deny him. Aaron Wan-Bissaka then made a vital goal-line clearance to stop Marcus Rashford from equalising.
DR Congo nearly doubled their lead when Yoane Wissa struck the post from Wan-Bissaka’s delivery, while Mpasi continued his outstanding display by keeping out efforts from both Bellingham and Kane. The England captain also had penalty claims dismissed after an incident involving the goalkeeper.
Rashford found the side netting early in the second half as England searched desperately for a breakthrough. Mpasi once again showed his quality by saving a deflected Bellingham cross, but Thomas Tuchel’s changes proved decisive when substitute Gordon supplied the cross that Kane converted, despite Mpasi getting a hand to the ball.
The match became increasingly open after the equaliser. Mpasi denied Bellingham once more, but Gordon kept possession alive and picked out Kane, who fired a superb winner from inside the box.
England still had one final scare in stoppage time after Bellingham conceded a dangerous free-kick, though Wissa’s attempt drifted harmlessly over the crossbar to Tuchel’s relief.
Kane Makes History in England Comeback
England entered the contest unbeaten in 11 competitive matches under Tuchel, winning 10 and drawing one, while world number 46 DR Congo were making their first appearance in a World Cup knockout match.
However, England made a poor start, failing to register a shot or touch inside the opposition penalty area before the opening drinks break. Their defensive lapse for Cipenga’s goal was costly, as Djed Spence was left covering two players at the back post, allowing the winger to score his first international goal.
Historically, England had never recovered to win a World Cup match after trailing at half-time, having previously lost seven and drawn two such encounters.
That unwanted record finally ended, largely thanks to the contributions of Kane and Gordon.
Kane’s two goals took his World Cup tally to 13, moving him ahead of Pele’s 12. Only Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo Nazario and Gerd Muller have scored more in the tournament’s history.
The 32-year-old now has five goals at this World Cup and 16 goal involvements overall, with only Mbappe and Messi recording more since Kane made his tournament debut in 2018.
Meanwhile, Gordon became the first England player to produce two goal contributions as a substitute in a World Cup match, strengthening his claim for a place in the starting line-up against Mexico at the Azteca.
