Harry Kane Brace Completes England's Comeback Against DR Congo

A huge sigh of relief for England as they scrape through a dramatic Round of 32 clash in Atlanta. DR Congo pushed them all the way, but Harry Kane’s second-half brace proves decisive as England complete the comeback.

England now move into the Round of 16 where they will face tournament co-hosts Mexico, after El Tri beat Ecuador 2-0 to book their place in the next round.

Yoane Wissa steps up for DR Congo’s last chance with the game deep into stoppage time, but his effort never dips enough and flies over the bar. Elliot Anderson is part of the defensive wall as England hold their shape under real pressure.

That turns out to be DR Congo’s final opportunity, and England survive a massive late scare to stay in front in Atlanta.

Harry Kane has overtaken Pelé in World Cup scoring, moving to 13 goals at the tournament with his second-half brace in Atlanta.

He scored his first in the 75’ minute to make it 1-1, before striking again in the 87’ minute to complete England’s comeback and put them 2-1 ahead. It’s a decisive contribution in a knockout clash, with Kane delivering both goals as England turn the game around from 0-1 at half-time

Captain Fantastic does it again! Harry Kane produces a brilliant finish to turn the game on its head and put England in front for the first time in Atlanta.

It’s a moment of real quality from the England skipper, who steps up when it matters most to complete the turnaround and leave DR Congo stunned after such a disciplined display.

England continue to turn the screw as Jude Bellingham works his way down the left, reaching the byline and trying to square the ball into the six-yard box for Nico O’Reilly. However, DR Congo get enough bodies back to block the danger and eventually hack the ball clear.

Still, England are firmly on the front foot now, pinning DR Congo back into their own box as they search for a late winner in Atlanta.

Harry Kane reaches a historic World Cup milestone, equalling Pelé’s record with his 12th goal in the competition to bring England level in Atlanta. It is his 4th of the tournament, further underlining his status as England’s key man on the biggest stage.

The goal comes after good work from Declan Rice on the right and Anthony Gordon keeping the move alive, but the moment is defined by Kane’s finish. His movement inside the box and composed strike restore parity for England against DR Congo, as he draws level with Pelé in the World Cup scoring charts.

BREAKTHROUGH for England at last as Harry Kane pulls them level. Anthony Gordon delivers a clipped cross from the left, a delicate looping ball into the box that finds Kane unmarked around six yards out.

The England captain guides a composed header across goal and into the left-hand side of the net. Lionel Mpasi gets a hand to it but cannot keep it out as England finally find their equaliser and breathe life back into their knockout hopes in Atlanta.

England make a series of tactical adjustments after the hydration break as they chase the game. Declan Rice drops into right-back, a move that adds more control and flexibility in possession but also invites scrutiny given the situation on the scoreline.

Djed Spence is withdrawn for Eberechi Eze in an attacking change from Thomas Tuchel, signalling it is now or never for England as they throw more creativity and risk into the final stages in search of an equaliser.

Play resumes in Atlanta after the hydration break, with England hoping Thomas Tuchel’s words have sparked something in a side still chasing the game. With around 20 minutes left, they are running out of time to avoid what would be a huge giant-killing result, given the expectations on this squad and the talent available.

DR Congo continue to defend with real discipline and belief, standing firm in what is shaping up as a potential famous upset if they can hold on. England restart on the ball as they look to crank up the pressure in the closing stages.

England continue to pile on the pressure but still cannot find a way through as another big chance goes begging. Jude Bellingham’s effort takes a wicked deflection inside the box, completely wrong-footing everyone, but Lionel Mpasi somehow reacts in time to keep it out.

The ball loops awkwardly upward after the save, and even as the goalkeeper ends up on the ground, he manages to stop it from crossing the line again in a stunning piece of reflex keeping. It’s another remarkable intervention from Mpasi, who is keeping DR Congo in front almost single-handedly as England’s frustration grows.

England start the second half on the front foot as Nico O’Reilly wins a corner after some sustained pressure. The delivery into a packed DR Congo penalty area causes more problems, with Arthur Masuaku forced to hack the ball behind for another corner.

It’s a positive early spell from England as they look to pin DR Congo back and find a way back into the contest.

DR Congo go into half-time with a shock 1-0 lead after a thrilling and eventful opening 45 minutes in Atlanta. Brian Cipenga’s early strike gave them a dream start, punishing England for a defensive lapse, and they have more than held their own since.

England have had their moments, coming close through Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane, but have been repeatedly denied by an inspired Lionel Mpasi in goal. The DR Congo keeper has made several crucial saves to preserve the advantage, including a stunning stop to deny Kane right at the end of the half.

It’s been a rollercoaster first half, chances at both ends, controversy around a VAR check, and DR Congo firmly in control of the scoreline as England are left with plenty to rethink at the break.

England think they may have a way back into the game as Harry Kane chases a through ball into the DR Congo box and goes down under pressure from Lionel Mpasi. The England striker knocks the ball past the goalkeeper before going to ground, but the referee immediately waves away the appeals, with minimal contact and Kane appearing to initiate the fall.

VAR takes a look at the incident, but ultimately agrees with the on-field decision that Kane had manufactured the situation. Play is allowed to continue with no penalty awarded, and to the surprise of DR Congo, no booking is shown either. There are loud reactions in the stadium as both sets of players react to a moment that could have swung the game either way, but England are left frustrated once again.

DR Congo come agonisingly close to doubling their lead as Aaron Wan-Bissaka drives forward and delivers a dangerous low cross into the near post. Yoane Wissa gets in front of Ezri Konsa from close range and meets it six yards out, but can only steer his effort onto the base of the right-hand post.

It’s a massive let-off for England, who are once again exposed defensively, while DR Congo will feel they should have been two goals up after a brilliant opening from Wan-Bissaka and a golden chance wasted by Wissa.

DR Congo briefly think they’ve opened England up down the right as Mbuku, Wan-Bissaka and Wissa combine neatly in a slick move, but the offside flag brings the attack to a halt just as they break through.

England break straight back through Marcus Rashford on the left touchline, only for him to be hauled down by Mukau, who somehow escapes a booking despite a clear handful of shirt. From the resulting set-piece, Declan Rice delivers another disappointing free-kick that fails to beat the first man, allowing DR Congo to clear comfortably as England’s frustration continues to build.

England show real intent as they enjoy one of their most positive spells of the game so far. Harry Kane’s effort is first blocked by Axel Tuanzebe in a key defensive intervention, before Marcus Rashford looks certain to score from close range.

However, former Manchester United team-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka produces a brilliant goal-line block to keep it out, reacting quickly to deny England what looked like a guaranteed equaliser. It’s sharp, decisive defending under pressure, as England begin to build momentum and ask serious questions of the DR Congo back line.

Declan Rice delivers a brilliant cross into the box and Jude Bellingham meets it with a diving header that looks destined for the top corner. However, Lionel Mpasi produces a superb reaction save, getting a strong hand to it and pushing the effort away to preserve DR Congo’s lead.

A huge moment in the game as England come within inches of equalising, only to be denied by an outstanding stop from the DR Congo goalkeeper.

Rice’s free-kick delivery is poor and looks easy for DR Congo to deal with, but Sadiki completely misses his clearance, turning it into a moment of panic at the back. The ball instead strikes Ezri Konsa and flies just inches wide of the top-right corner, with the defender completely unaware of how close he came to scoring.

Goalkeeper Mpasi was stranded and nowhere near it, and had it been on target, it would have been a certain goal, a huge let-off for DR Congo as England come inches away from levelling.

England are starting to lose their composure after going behind, with tackles flying in and frustration creeping into their play. Marcus Rashford goes in aggressively on Wan-Bissaka and then Mbuku in quick succession, with the referee allowing play to continue but England clearly on edge.

Moments before that, Jude Bellingham slides in late on Mbuku and is shown a yellow card. He has looked increasingly frustrated since DR Congo took the lead, and England will need to steady themselves quickly as discipline becomes an issue in this spell of the match.

That’s a huge moment in Atlanta as DR Congo take an early lead through Brian Cipenga. It’s a simple ball across the England back line, but Djed Spence leaves Cipenga completely unmarked, and he makes no mistake, hammering the finish home.

It’s the worst possible start for England, who are immediately on the back foot in this knockout clash. One shot, one goal for DR Congo, a perfect start for them, and England now have to chase the game much earlier than expected.

DR Congo manager Sébastien Desabre has made one notable change to the side that beat Uzbekistan, bringing Ngal'ayel Mukau into midfield as his team lines up in a 4-3-3 formation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash against England.

DR Congo Starting XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Lionel Mpasi

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku

Midfielders: Ngal'ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki

Forwards: Nathanaël Mbuku, Yoane Wissa, Brian Cipenga

Tactical changes:

Desabre has made a single change from the win over Uzbekistan, with Mukau coming into midfield to add greater control in the centre of the pitch. The tweak sees veteran striker Cédric Bakambu drop to the bench, while former Premier League duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Chancel Mbemba continue to anchor the defence against England's attack.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has made three changes to the side that beat Wales in the final group-stage match, with Declan Rice returning in midfield, Djed Spence coming in at right-back and Noni Madueke earning a start on the right wing. The Three Lions line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for their Round of 32 clash against DR Congo.

England Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford

Defenders: Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O'Reilly

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson

Attacking Midfielders: Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford

Striker: Harry Kane

Tactical changes:

Tuchel has refreshed his side with three key adjustments. Spence fills in at right-back following injuries, Rice returns to anchor the midfield after missing the final group-stage fixture, while Madueke replaces Bukayo Saka on the right flank. Rashford keeps his place on the left, with Anthony Gordon again starting on the bench.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has provided DR Congo with an opportunity to rewrite decades of painful football history. During their only previous appearance in 1974, when the country competed as Zaire, they lost all three group-stage matches, failed to score and conceded 14 goals.

More than half a century later, the story has changed dramatically. DR Congo have recorded their first World Cup victory, reached the knockout rounds for the first time and earned global admiration for their disciplined performances.

Facing England is another huge challenge, but regardless of the outcome, this generation has already transformed the nation's World Cup legacy.

The group stage allowed England to build momentum, but the knockout rounds bring an entirely different level of pressure. Every mistake now carries greater consequences, with elimination just one defeat away.

Although DR Congo enter the match as underdogs, England know they cannot afford complacency against a side that has already exceeded expectations. Beyond this fixture, potentially difficult encounters against the likes of Mexico, Brazil and Argentina could await.

For now, however, England's full attention must remain on overcoming one of the tournament's most determined teams.

Captain Chancel Mbemba has become the heartbeat of DR Congo's defensive unit. Alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Arthur Masuaku, he has helped build one of the tournament's most resilient backlines.

The defenders work together to deny space, forcing opponents into difficult shooting positions while remaining dangerous from set pieces. England's attackers know they will not receive many clear opportunities, making efficiency in front of goal essential. If Mbemba can inspire another disciplined defensive display, DR Congo could once again surprise the football world.

England's backline has looked solid throughout the group stage, but the Round of 32 presents a completely different examination. Rather than facing sustained possession, John Stones, Marc Guéhi and Jordan Pickford must deal with quick transitions and direct attacks from DR Congo.

Sébastien Desabre's side is happy to defend deep before launching rapid counterattacks through Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu. England's full-backs will also need to carefully balance their attacking responsibilities with defensive awareness.

Maintaining concentration for the full 90 minutes could be just as important as England's attacking performance.

While England possess the bigger names, DR Congo have a genuine match-winner in Yoane Wissa. The forward has emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament, scoring three of his country's four group-stage goals, including two in the historic victory over Uzbekistan.

Wissa's pace, intelligent movement and understanding with Cédric Bakambu make DR Congo extremely dangerous on the counterattack. England are expected to dominate possession, but any careless turnover could allow Wissa the opportunity to punish them.

Thomas Tuchel's defenders will need to remain alert throughout the contest if they are to keep the Congolese att