World Cup 2026 England Beat DR Congo 2-1 on Kane Brace

ENGLAND · WORLD CUP

Harry Kane rescued England with two late goals, ending DR Congo’s first World Cup knockout run and setting up a last-16 tie in Mexico City.

World Cup 2026 England edge DR Congo in Atlanta

England beat DR Congo 2-1 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to reach the round of 16. Two Harry Kane goals in the closing 15 minutes overturned an early deficit.

The Three Lions had trailed since the seventh minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon set up both of the captain’s strikes to force the turnaround.

Cipenga stuns the favourites

DR Congo could hardly have started better. Winger Brian Cipenga struck in the seventh minute to quiet a pro-England crowd.

The Leopards, coached by Sebastien Desabre, then defended with discipline. For more than an hour they frustrated Thomas Tuchel’s side.

England dominated the ball without breaking through. According to the match stats published by The Football Association, England ranked third for average possession in the group stage on 65.3 percent, against DR Congo’s 38.5 percent.

That territorial edge counted for little while the deficit held. Captain Chancel Mbemba marshalled a back line that refused to buckle.

Tuchel had made three changes for the tie, with Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke and Djed Spence all handed starts. None of the tweaks unlocked the Leopards until Gordon was introduced from the bench.

Kane’s brace turns the tie

The breakthrough finally arrived on 75 minutes. Gordon delivered from the left and Kane headed England level.

The equaliser transformed the mood inside the stadium. England smelled blood with the tie suddenly wide open.

Kane settled it on 86 minutes with a clinical finish from the edge of the box. Gordon was the provider again, capping a decisive cameo off the bench.

It was the ruthless late show that knockout football demands. England’s patience and Kane’s quality made the difference.

World Cup 2026 England move past Pele

Kane had arrived as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer on 11 goals. His double lifted him to 13.

By The Rio Times’ count, that moved Kane past Pele on 12 into the tournament’s all-time top six. Only Lionel Messi (19), Kylian Mbappé (18), Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo (15) and Gerd Müller (14) have more men’s World Cup goals than Kane, with Just Fontaine level on 13.

The captain has now struck in the knockout rounds as well as the group stage. His goals have repeatedly proved the difference on the biggest stage.

Tuchel’s England remain unbeaten in 11 competitive fixtures under the German. That run, confirmed in FIFA’s official match report, now stretches into the last 16.

DR Congo’s historic run ends

This was DR Congo’s first World Cup knockout match, and their first finals since 1974 as Zaire. They can leave with their heads high.

Yoane Wissa had scored three of their four goals on the way here. On this night the striker was starved of the service that carried them through Group K.

The result also underlines a wider pattern. England have now faced an African side in a World Cup knockout three times, beating Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2022 before this win.

For DR Congo, the tournament ends as a breakthrough rather than a letdown. Reaching the last 32 was already unprecedented territory for the Leopards.

Their run also caps a historic World Cup for African football, with a record number of the continent’s teams reaching the knockout stage. From Morocco to Senegal to the Leopards, the region has thrived, and DR Congo depart as part of that broader wave rather than as an isolated story.

Mexico await at the Azteca

England’s reward is a last-16 meeting with host nation Mexico. The tie will be played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Mexico reached this stage by beating Ecuador 2-0 and have yet to concede a goal at the tournament. The Azteca promises to be a hostile venue for Tuchel’s team.

Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at the Azteca, a record stretching back across three tournaments as hosts. That history makes the round-of-16 tie one of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage.

England will fancy their chances given their form and Kane’s scoring touch. The comeback in Atlanta suggests a side growing into the competition.

Why it matters

A place in the last 16 keeps England on course in a demanding half of the draw. The manner of the win may matter as much as the result itself.

Trailing for so long, then striking twice late, points to genuine resolve. Tuchel will hope that character travels with them to Mexico City.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score in World Cup 2026 England vs DR Congo?

England won 2-1 in Atlanta. Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead before Harry Kane scored twice late on.

Who scored England’s goals?

Harry Kane scored both, in the 75th and 86th minutes. Anthony Gordon assisted each one.

How many World Cup goals does Harry Kane have now?

The brace took Kane to 13 World Cup goals. That moved him past Pele into the tournament’s all-time top six.

Who do England play next?

England face hosts Mexico in the round of 16. The tie is at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

How far did DR Congo go?

DR Congo reached the round of 32, their first World Cup knockout stage. It was their first finals appearance since 1974.