Kane’s late double rescues England from World Cup shock as they edge past DR Congo
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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!!
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
In a tense World Cup knockout encounter in Atlanta, England faced an unexpectedly stiff challenge from DR Congo, who stunned the Three Lions with an early goal through Brian Cipenga. For most of the match under manager Thomas Tuchel, England struggled with defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of clinical finishing, putting their progression at genuine risk. However, Anthony Gordon's attacking thrust provided creative impetus on the flanks, and England gradually applied increasing pressure as the match wore on.
Harry Kane proved the decisive difference in a dramatic final phase, scoring twice to complete an unlikely comeback. His equalising header from Gordon's cross sparked the revival, before a powerful late strike secured a 2-1 victory and confirmed England's passage to the last 16, where they will face Mexico. Kane subsequently reflected on the performance as England's most accomplished attacking display of the tournament to date, suggesting the team overcame early setbacks to deliver when it mattered most.
- England beat DR Congo 2-1 in Atlanta round-of-32 encounter to advance to World Cup last 16
- Captain Harry Kane scored twice in comeback victory after DR Congo's shock early lead through Cipenga
- Three Lions face Mexico in next knockout round; Kane praised their attacking performance as tournament-best
New here? Start with this
England are one of football’s most successful national teams, although they have not won the men’s World Cup since 1966. Their current side is managed by Thomas Tuchel and includes Harry Kane, the captain and one of the country’s leading goalscorers.
DR Congo, officially the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a central African country whose national team has had less recent World Cup experience than England. A meeting between the teams therefore carries the possibility of a major upset, particularly in a knockout match where defeat ends a country’s tournament.
The World Cup knockout stage is played after the group phase and reduces the field until two teams remain for the final. England’s next opponents, Mexico, are another established international side with a long record of appearing at World Cups.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
England’s comeback can reasonably be seen as evidence of resilience and improving attacking cohesion. After an early setback, they sustained pressure, with Anthony Gordon creating the equaliser and Harry Kane delivering two high-quality finishes when the stakes were highest; advocates would argue that winning difficult knockout matches is a hallmark of successful tournament sides.
The case against
The result can equally be viewed as a warning that England remain vulnerable against well-organised opponents. DR Congo exposed defensive weaknesses and England’s lack of early cutting edge for much of the match, so critics would argue that a late rescue by Kane should not obscure a performance that could be punished more severely in later rounds.
Coverage
- The Guardian — England v DR Congo: World Cup 2026 last 32 – live
- The Guardian — England 2-1 DR Congo: World Cup last 32 player ratings
- The Guardian — Kane to the rescue with late double as England edge past DR Congo into last 16
- BBC Sport — All the angles of Kane’s brilliant winner
- BBC Sport — Gordon was ‘already celebrating’ before Kane had scored the winner
- BBC Sport — Win over DR Congo ‘our best game of the tournament’ – Kane
- BBC Sport — Kane scores twice as England come from behind to reach last 16
- BBC Sport — England into last 16 – what is their path to the final?
- BBC Sport — ‘That was a rocket’ – Kane scores winner for England
- BBC Sport — England sneak through – but who had a nightmare start? Player ratings
- BBC Sport — Relief for England as Kane heads in equalising goal against DR Congo
- BBC Sport — Should England have had a penalty for challenge on Kane?
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