Harry Kane fires England into round of 16 with second-half brace against DR Congo in Atlanta
England overcame DR Congo 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 in Atlanta courtesy of a stunning, late Harry Kane brace which saw Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions complete a stunning comeback against the determined central African side.
England 2-1 DR Congo
Goals: 0-1 Cipenga 7’ (assist: Mbemba), 1-1 Kane 75’ (assist: Gordon), 2-1 Kane 86’ (assist: Gordon)
Thomas Tuchel's England entered this FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium as clear favourites, having topped Group L with wins over Croatia (4-2) and Panama (2-0) alongside a goalless draw against Ghana. DR Congo, meanwhile, qualified as one of the tournament's best third-placed sides after a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan.
Tuchel was forced into changes, with Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah ruled out through an injury he sustained against Panama, and Reece James also unavailable, meaning Djed Spence received the nod to start at right-back. England lined up in their trademark 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bayern Munich's Kane once again both captaining and leading the line for the Three Lions.
Cipenga stuns England
The match burst into life almost immediately, and it was the underdogs who drew first blood. In just the 7th minute, Chancel Mbemba picked out Brian Cipenga with a switch of play from right to left, and the Congolese forward, finding himself in acres of space, cut in off the left flank, beat Spence and slotted the ball home at the near post, catching Jordan Pickford out with a quickly-taken shot.
Incidentally, the opener marked Cipenga's first ever goal on the international stage, and it could not have come at a better time for him. DR Congo were in front, and the Atlanta crowd was buzzing.
England push back
England responded with growing urgency, fashioning a great chance in the 30th minute, when Declan Rice delivered a deep cross from the right and Bellingham powered a header towards the bottom corner, only for goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to produce a sensational reflex save.
Shortly after in the 36th minute, it was Nico O'Reilly's turn to dig out a cross from the right byline. Marcus Rashford struck first time, but former Manchester United teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka was on hand to clear the effort off the line.
DR Congo were not without their additonal chances, however, also threatening when Yoane Wissa rattled the outside of the right post from close range in the 42nd minute.
Kane then thought he had won a penalty late in the half under a challenge from Mpasi, but the referee waved it away and VAR upheld the decision. Another Rice corner in first-half stoppage time found Kane at the far post, but the talisman was once again denied by a brilliant Mpasi save. England were knocking on the door but found themselves trailing at the break.
England turn up the heat
The second half began with England immediately on the front foot. Rice delivered a flurry of corners, and Rashford twice went close - first finding only the side netting with a low left-footed drive, then heading wide from a Madueke cross. Mpasi continued to be outstanding, clawing away a deflected Bellingham effort in the 53rd minute.
Looking for a way back into the game, Tuchel made his move on the hour mark, introducing Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon for Madueke and Rashford, in a decision which would inject fresh energy into England's wide positions. Tuchel then brought on Eberechi Eze for Spence in the 70th minute, pushing England into a more attacking shape as the clock ticked down.
Kane delivers the comeback
With 15 minutes remaining, England finally found their equaliser - and of course it was Kane. Gordon floated a delightful cross into the six-yard box and the England captain rose highest to glance a header past Mpasi. 1-1, and the Three Lions had lift-off.
With their tails now up, Anderson fired just over from the edge of the box in the 79th minute, and Bellingham had a one-on-one saved by Mpasi in the 86th minute. However, Gordon wouldn't allow the opportunity to go begging, retrieving the loose ball and laying it off for Kane on the edge of the area. The Bayern man took the ball past his marker and rifled it high into the top right corner to send the England fans into raptures.
DR Congo threw everything forward in the dying minutes, with Wissa curling a late free-kick over the bar, but England held on to seal a famous comeback victory and a place in the round of 16.
