England 2-1 DR Congo: Kane Brace Rescues Three Lions
Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes as England beat DR Congo 2-1 to reach the Round of 16 and set up a knockout tie against Mexico
Harry Kane scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to rescue England to a 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday 1 July. Brian Cipenga had put DR Congo in front in the seventh minute. Kane headed home from an Anthony Gordon cross in the 75th and lashed the winner into the roof of the net in the 86th. England next play Mexico in the Round of 16 in Mexico City on Monday 6 July
England beat DR Congo 2-1 in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 in Atlanta on 1 July. Brian Cipenga scored in the 7th minute for DR Congo. Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes (75', 86') to complete the comeback. England play Mexico in the Round of 16 on 6 July
How did England beat DR Congo in the Round of 32?
DR Congo shocked England seven minutes in. Chancel Mbemba's switch of play found Brian Cipenga unmarked on the left side of the area. Jordan Pickford failed to keep out the near-post shot. England trailed against a nation making its first World Cup knockout appearance.
The Three Lions dominated possession from there but could not break down Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. The Congolese number one made a string of outstanding saves through the first hour to keep his side in front. Thomas Tuchel's tactical patience through the middle rounds of the match did not produce the equaliser.
Kane broke through in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon whipped a cross in from the left. Kane rose at the near post and headed a downward finish across Mpasi. Eleven minutes later Kane rifled the winner into the top corner from just inside the box, the finish that flipped the tournament for England.
Congo pushed for a leveller in the closing minutes but England held on. The Round of 32 tie was won by two Kane finishes and an Anthony Gordon substitute impact.
Kane's history-making brace and 13-goal World Cup record
Kane's brace put him into the top seven scorers in World Cup history. His 13 career World Cup goals surpassed Pele's 12. Only Lionel Messi (19), Kylian Mbappé (18), Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo Nazário (15) and Gerd Müller (14) now sit ahead of him.
The brace also made history for England specifically. Kane became the first England player to score two goals in a World Cup knockout-stage match since Gary Lineker against Cameroon in the 1990 quarter-finals. That is 36 years.
Behind the two goals, Jude Bellingham controlled the second-half tempo through the middle, Bukayo Saka stretched the right flank, and Declan Rice held the base of midfield against Congo's counter-attacks. Signed Jude Bellingham memorabilia is part of the authenticated catalogue at MVPs, with the England 2026 shirt window driving current demand.
What England's win means as they set up Mexico in the Round of 16
England next play Mexico in the Round of 16 in Mexico City on Monday 6 July, kick-off 1am BST. Mexico topped Group A and beat Ecuador in the Round of 32. The tie is against the co-hosts on home soil.
The Kane record run and Bellingham's tempo in the middle are the two features Tuchel will want to carry into that match. Congo exposed defensive gaps England will need to shore up. The tournament pattern for Tuchel has been chaotic first halves and controlled second halves, and Mexico will target the same window.