2026 World Cup / Kane rescues England as three Lions survive Congo scare
Harry Kane’s second-half double spared England from a humiliating World Cup exit, as Thomas Tuchel’s side rallied to beat Congo DR 2-1 in Atlanta.
The comeback victory sets up a daunting round-of-16 clash with co-hosts Mexico, but England’s defensive frailties raised serious concerns.
Congo DR stunned the Three Lions inside seven minutes when Brian Cipenga fired past Jordan Pickford at the near post. England looked paralyzed, their backline repeatedly exposed as Yoane Wissa struck the woodwork before halftime.
Jude Bellingham grew increasingly frustrated, earning a booking, while England saw penalty appeals waved away after Lionel Mpasi collided with Kane—decisions that left fans astonished.
Mpasi produced heroics throughout, denying Bellingham and Kane before the break. But the introduction of substitutes Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka shifted momentum.
Gordon twice turned provider for his captain. The first, a 75th-minute cross, saw Kane head home to level. Eleven minutes later, Kane created space on the edge of the box to unleash a fierce winner into the roof of the net.
“We survived,” Tuchel seemed to concede as Wissa’s late free-kick sailed narrowly over.
This marked England’s first World Cup win after conceding first since the 1966 final. But with Mexico awaiting at the Azteca, Tuchel’s men must improve dramatically to avoid another early exit a decade on from their infamous Iceland collapse.
