Harry Kane rescues England from shock World Cup exit with two goals in 11 minutes against DR Congo
FIFA WC26
2-1
Finished
Key moments
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7'
Goal Brian CIPENGA (Congo DR) scores!!
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19'
Yellow card Jude BELLINGHAM (England) is booked by
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27'
Yellow card Noah SADIKI (Congo DR) is booked
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75'
Goal Harry KANE (England) scores!!
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86'
Goal Harry KANE (England) scores!!
Squads
England squad
- Selected
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1 Jordan PICKFORD Goalkeeper
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2 Ezri KONSA Defender
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3 Nico OREILLY Defender
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4 Declan RICE Midfielder
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6 Marc GUEHI Defender
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8 Elliot ANDERSON Midfielder
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9 Harry KANE C Forward
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10 Jude BELLINGHAM Midfielder
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11 Marcus RASHFORD Forward
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20 Noni MADUEKE Forward
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25 Djed SPENCE Defender
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5 John STONES Defender
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7 Bukayo SAKA Forward
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12 Trevoh CHALOBAH Defender
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13 Dean Henderson Goalkeeper
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14 Jordan HENDERSON Midfielder
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15 Dan BURN Defender
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16 Kobbie MAINOO Midfielder
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17 Morgan ROGERS Midfielder
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18 Anthony GORDON Forward
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19 Ollie WATKINS Forward
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21 Eberechi EZE Midfielder
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22 Ivan TONEY Forward
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23 James TRAFFORD Goalkeeper
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24 Reece JAMES Defender
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26 Jarell QUANSAH Defender
Congo DR squad
- Selected
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1 Lionel MPASI Goalkeeper
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2 Aaron WAN-BISSAKA Defender
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4 Axel Tuanzebe Defender
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6 Ngalayel MUKAU Midfielder
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7 Nathanael MBUKU Midfielder
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8 Samuel Moutoussamy Midfielder
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9 Brian CIPENGA Forward
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14 Noah SADIKI Midfielder
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20 Yoane WISSA Forward
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22 Chancel MBEMBA C Defender
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26 Arthur MASUAKU Defender
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3 Steve KAPUADI Defender
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5 Dylan BATUBINSIKA Defender
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10 Theo BONGONDA Midfielder
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11 Gael KAKUTA Forward
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12 Joris KAYEMBE Defender
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13 Meschack ELIA Forward
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15 Aaron TSHIBOLA Midfielder
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16 Timothy FAYULU Goalkeeper
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17 Cedric BAKAMBU Forward
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18 Charles PICKEL Midfielder
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19 Fiston MAYELE Forward
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21 Matthieu EPOLO Goalkeeper
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23 Simon BANZA Forward
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24 Gedeon KALULU Defender
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25 Edo Kayembe Midfielder
England came perilously close to an embarrassing elimination when DR Congo took an early lead through Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute strike. However, the match pivoted dramatically in the closing stages as captain Harry Kane scored twice within an 11-minute span to turn the game around and secure a 2-1 advance to the knockout phase.
The comeback underscored Kane's importance to the English side, demonstrating why he remains a decisive figure in the team's tournament aspirations. Despite being outplayed for much of the contest, England's resilience in the final period—powered by their most prolific finisher—allowed them to escape what would have been a damaging upset and progress deeper into the competition.
- Kane netted twice in the final 21 minutes to overturn a deficit and secure England's 2-1 victory
- DR Congo stunned England with an early seventh-minute goal but couldn't hold on
- England advances to the round of 16 after nearly suffering a major tournament upset