2026 World Cup: Harry Kane Leads England to the Round of 16; Democratic Republic of the Congo Defeated in Comeback

First a scare, then a comeback: England beats a courageous Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 and advances to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, with the two decisive goals—both scored by Harry Kane—coming in the final quarter of the match. The Congolese team thus exits with honor, while the Three Lions advance and will now face Mexico, which defeated Ecuador last night.

The match got off to the best possible start for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which took the lead in the 7th minute: Chancel Mbemba set up Brian Cipenga, and the Almería forward finished the play, beating a far-from-perfect Pickford. The match is incredibly lively, with chances at both ends: In particular, Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau takes center stage, thwarting several chances in a first half marked, among other things, by protests over a contact with Kane in the box that the referee deemed not worthy of a penalty.

In the second half, England picked up the pace, with Tuchel bringing on Gordon and Saka in the 61st minute to replace Radhford and Madueke, and Eze in the 70th minute to replace Spence. The goal seemed unlikely to come, but everything changed in the 75th minute: Gordon’s precise cross found Kane’s head, and he headed in the equalizer.

Just when it looked like the game was headed for extra time, the Bayern striker stole the show again in the 86th minute: after receiving the ball once more from an inspired Gordon, Kane fired a thunderous shot from a near-standing position that beat Mpasi-Nzau, making it 2-1. The Democratic Republic of the Congo deserves credit for not giving up: their last significant chance came on a free kick taken by Wissa in the 97th minute, which grazed the crossbar with Pickford already in position. The match thus ended 2-1: England advances, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is left with the applause.