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England were on the verge of one of the biggest World Cup upsets in recent memory – until the heart and soul of the program more than came into play.
After most of the game, Harry Kane scored both of England’s goals in the last 21 minutes of the game to progress to the last 16 with a 2-1 win over DR Congo.
Brian Cipenga had given Congo a surprise lead after scoring in just the seventh minute of the game and its defense kept England at bay all the way through the second-half hydration break.
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Harry Kane of England celebrates to fans after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images)
But then England’s all-time leading goalscorer equalized with a 75th-minute header from Anthony Gordon’s cross, despite goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi getting a hand on it. Eleven minutes later, Kane scored the decisive goal after evading defenders and letting one rip with his right foot and find the top right corner.
The goals were Kane’s 83rd and 84th for England, extending his country’s record in his 118th game. In World Cup play, he now has 13 goals, surpassing Pelé’s 12, in 16 games played. He has found the back of the net five times in four games in this tournament.
Harry Kane of England celebrates scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images)
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“It was just about pounding on the rock, keep pounding on the rock, and our moment would come,” Kane said. “We talked about people having heroic moments. It could be anybody on the team… Whoever it is, we have heroic moments and for me that was the day.”
England had previously only won one match at the World Cup after conceding the first goal, and that came in the 1966 final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium.
DR Congo entered the game as 12-1 underdogs against a team that has advanced to at least the round of 16 in six of the last seven World Cups. England were knocked out in the quarter-finals in Qatar and finished fourth in 2018 in Russia.
England will now face quite the task as they face Mexico on their own home turf in Mexico City on Sunday.
Harry Kane of England is seen at full-time during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images)
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The USA could meet England in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – but of course a lot had to go right.
