England 2-1 DR Congo — Kane Saves Three Lions from World Cup Upset

Last updated: July 1, 2026

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England 2-1 DR Congo — Kane’s Double Saves the Three Lions

Harry Kane produced a stunning second-half comeback to save England from what would have been one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The Three Lions trailed 1-0 to DR Congo before their captain struck twice in the final stages to seal a 2-1 victory and a place in the Round of 16.

Match Summary

Detail	Info
Competition	FIFA World Cup 2026 — Round of 32
Venue	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Result	England 2-1 DR Congo
Goals	Cipenga 12′ (DRC); Kane 78′, 88′ (ENG)
Attendance	71,000+
Man of the Match	Harry Kane ⭐

How It Unfolded

DR Congo stunned the English faithful early when Brian Cipenga fired home an excellent goal in the 12th minute. The underdogs looked poised for a historic victory, dominating the opening quarter and holding England at bay thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made stunning saves to deny Jude Bellingham twice from close range.

England struggled to find rhythm until the first hydration break proved to be a turning point. Thomas Tuchel’s side found their footing, and Anthony Gordon — introduced as a substitute — changed the game entirely. Gordon provided two assists, both for Harry Kane, becoming the first England player in World Cup history to be directly involved in more than one goal as a substitute.

Record-Breaking Kane

With his two goals, Kane moved clear of Pelé in the all-time World Cup scoring charts. The England captain has now scored 10 goals in 11 knockout matches at major tournaments since Euro 2020 — the most of any European player in that period, ahead of Kylian Mbappé (7).

This was only the second time in England’s history they won a World Cup knockout match after trailing. The first was the 1966 World Cup final — a 4-2 win against West Germany.

What’s Next: England vs Mexico at Estadio Azteca 🔥

England’s reward is a Round of 16 clash against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Sunday, July 5. Mexico has never lost a World Cup match at the Azteca, making this one of the toughest possible draws for Tuchel’s squad.

Match	Date	Time (ET)	Venue
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs 🇲🇽 Mexico	Sun, July 5	8:00 PM ET	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Today’s Other World Cup Round of 32 Matches

Match	Venue	Status
🇧🇪 Belgium vs 🇸🇳 Senegal	Lumen Field, Seattle	Upcoming
🇺🇸 USA vs 🇧🇦 Bosnia-Herzegovina	Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara	Upcoming

FAQ

Q: How did England come back against DR Congo?
A: After trailing 1-0 since the 12th minute, England equalized in the 78th minute through a Harry Kane header from an Anthony Gordon cross. Kane then smashed home from a tight angle in the 88th minute to complete the comeback.

Q: Who was the standout player?
A: Lionel Mpasi (DR Congo) was sensational in goal, making several world-class saves. However, Harry Kane’s brace and Anthony Gordon’s two assists off the bench were decisive.

Q: When is England’s next match?
A: England faces Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Sunday, July 5 at 8:00 PM ET.

Q: Has England won a World Cup knockout match after trailing before?
A: This is only the second time in England’s history. The first was the 1966 World Cup final — a 4-2 win against West Germany.

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