Kane's late heroics send England through

Senegal only picked up one group stage victory, but it was a convincing one, with the Lions of Teranga dispatching of Iraq 5-0 on matchday three.

That came after good showings in defeats to France and Norway, and was enough to see them progress as one of the best third-placed sides.

Belgium topped their group, but didn't look entirely convincing until defeating New Zealand 5-1 to conclude their first round.

That came after uninspiring draws with both Iran and Egypt.

AP

By advancing to the knockout round atop Group G, Belgium has already improved upon its woeful performance at the World Cup four years ago.

After a historic third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Belgium did not advance past the group stage in Qatar.

With its 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night, Belgium has already achieved what coach Rudi Garcia expected at the bare minimum from his team.

Ahead of Wednesday’s knockout round match against Senegal, Garcia expressed satisfaction, as well as desire for more. Belgium won one game and played to two draws in group play.

“We wanted to finish first in the group stage and we succeeded,” Garcia said in French.

“Of course we wanted to win more — we know the story of our World Cup so far. Now it is time for the knockout phase. Senegal is a big team. But, you have to beat them, too, if you want to go far in a World Cup.”

With what is surely the best team news post of the World Cup to date, Belgium announces the same line-up as the one that made light work of New Zealand in their final group game.

Leandro Trossard scored a brace in that 5-1 win, and he will again start on the right, with Kevin de Bruyne on his inside, and Jeremy Doku to the left of him.

Romelu Lukaku once again starts as a substitute, as does Alexis Saelemaekers.

Both forwards came off the bench to score in that Kiwi drubbing.

Next up for England is a mouthwatering tie with co-host Mexico at the cathedral of football that is the Estadio Azteca, on Monday morning at 10am AEST.

With it being the final game of the tournament to be played in Mexico, the atmosphere will be even more electric than usual in Mexico City, if that is indeed possible.

The Three Lions haven't played at the stadium since the 1986 World Cup, when they went down to Argentina in the quarterfinals.

Anyone remember that game?

Harry Kane is now up on the tele and he says he reckons England was easily the best side today in Atlanta, despite requiring a "hero moment" to get over the line.

"After that first hydration break, I thought we upped the level, we looked good," Kane says

"Their keeper made some unbelievable saves in that first half and it was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock and the moments will come.

"We spoke about people having hero moments, it can be anyone in the team, whether it's me, a save from Pickers, a block from the defenders, whoever it is, we have hero moments.

"And it was me for today."

It certainly was, Harry.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is speaking on the SBS feed, and he is a mixture of frenzied excitement and relief on the edge of pitch in Atlanta.

"We kept believing, we had the worst start possible, first shot, first goal, from maybe a half chance they scored, then it became even more difficult," Tuchel says.

"After the first water break, we were on top of that game.

"We created chances after chances, I think we should have had a penalty.

"We kept knocking, we kept knocking, we kept believing.

"Substitutes came on, put the effort in and we won it well deserved but we had to work a lot, that's how it is, brilliant."

The final whistle blows in Atlanta, and it is absolute heartbreak for DR Congo, who fought so, so hard against the Three Lions.

And at the end of the day, it's a world-class strike from a world class player that sends the Leopards home.

Harry Kane's rasping 86th-minute strike saves England's blushes.

Thomas Tuchel is on the field, smiling and congratulating his players, but you imagine his brow may be furrowed under the surface.

The Three Lions were an absolute shambles for that early Congo goal, with Brian Cipenga afforded all sorts of space on the edge of the penalty area and Jordan Pickford not quite covering himself in glory at his near post.

England then began to assert themselves on the game, forcing a number of fine saves from Lionel Mpasi and having a penalty appeal waved away, but should have been 2-0 down at half-time, with Yoane Wissa hitting the post from point-blank range.

England dominated the ball and territory after the break but were forced to wait until after the final hydration break to get on level terms.

Kane let out a cry of relief and pulled at his badge as he wheeled away in celebration of his equalising header, before conjuring a truly special moment to send his side through, turning at the top of the penalty area and scything his shot into the top corner of the net.

The England players still look slightly shellshocked as they line up and celebrate in front of their fans, joining hands and mouthing one of the most relieved renditions of Wonderwall you're ever likely to see.