LOS ANGELES: Harry Kane scored twice to save England from the brink of a disastrous World Cup exit as co-hosts USA swept into the last 16 with victory in their primetime clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Another breathless day of World Cup action started with England captain Kane scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to help the Three Lions grab a 2-1 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Belgium, meanwhile, staged an incredible comeback against Senegal, overcoming a 2-0 deficit with four minutes of normal time remaining to win 3-2 after extra time in Seattle.
The Belgians will now play the USA in the round of 16 next week after the hosts overcame the sending off of star striker Folarin Balogun to defeat Bosnia 2-0 in Santa Clara, California.
England now prepare for a daunting trip to take on Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday after Kane’s late show in Atlanta.
DR Congo had threatened to pull off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history after winger Brian Cipenga sent Leopards ahead in the seventh minute.
But Kane equalized with a header in the 75th minute and then grabbed a superb winner 11 minutes later to secure victory.
“We talked about people having hero moments, it could be anyone in the team. A save from (keeper Jordan) Pickford, a block from a defender, whoever it is. We have hero moments and for me that was the day,” said a beaming Kane.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the victory was testament to his side’s never-say-die approach.
“This team today did not accept defeat as a result,” England boss Tuchel said. “It makes me very proud, because they did what was necessary.
“It was tough and they showed up and we got a deserved win, even though it was late.”
History of the United States
The USA will now turn their attention to next Monday’s date with Belgium in Seattle after the Americans rolled past Bosnia at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
The 2-0 win was the USA’s first World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter of a century and only their second ever, with an estimated 30 million Americans expected to tune in for the clash.
But the victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s side was bittersweet after the dismissal of star striker Balogun.
Balogun had sent the home crowd into raptures on the stroke of half-time after firing the Americans into the lead after a dominant first half.
But Balogun was sent off early in the second half for an accidental stamp on Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic.
But even with the U.S. forced into a 10-man backcourt action, Malik Tillman curled in a free kick to seal the win.
“We had to dig deep for that one,” USA forward Christian Pulisic said.
“It didn’t quite go according to plan with the Reds, but it shows what a good team we are.”
