Kane to the rescue as England scrape past DR Congo to reach World Cup last 16

Key stats

- England have won after conceding the opening goal in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since July 30th, 1966 against Germany (13 games without a win).

- Harry Kane's two goals mean he has now surpassed Pele's World Cup goalscoring record, and joint-sixth on the all-time list with 13.

- England have failed to score a first-half goal in three of their four games, only South Africa (four) have failed to score more often in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Highlights

Analysis

England were dominant throughout against a resolute DR Congo side and managed to come away with a victory at the death.

Match report

England eyes were already looking towards a potential last 16 showdown with Mexico, but that was made to feel incredibly premature inside the opening 10 minutes.

Chancel Mbemba’s raking cross-field pass found the unmarked Brian Cipenga, who cut in and lasered an effort in at Jordan Pickford’s near post.

England’s response to falling behind was non-existent, but they did almost get the stroke of fortune they so desperately craved when Declan Rice’s delivery ricocheted off an unknowing Ezri Konsa, drifting just wide of the target. 

The hydration break helped Thomas Tuchel’s men regroup, and they created a gilt-edged chance to equalise soon after.

Noni Madueke got to the byline and put the ball into a dangerous area, allowing Marcus Rashford to fire a low effort at goal, but his strike was cleared off the line by former Manchester United teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Yet for all the positivity England’s 15-minute period of dominance garnered, Yoane Wissa almost placed the game beyond them when he crashed a close-range effort against the outside of the post.

Thomas Tuchel’s men were left to rue some rotten luck of their own twice before HT, first when Harry Kane felt he’d been felled in the area by the on-rushing Lionel Mpasi, only for both the referee and VAR to disagree, and secondly when Kane’s thunderous volley at the far post was repelled by the unbeatable Mpasi.

Chances were now coming thick and fast for Tuchel’s men, and the HT break didn’t stem their momentum either, with Rashford squandering a glorious opportunity within 10 minutes of the restart when he hammered a left-footed effort into the side netting. 

England pressure could hardly be billed as relentless as time ticked away, but their go-to man popped up with a huge moment 15 minutes from time when he guided Anthony Gordon’s cross back across goal and into the far corner.

And it was England’s record WC goalscorer who provided the telling moment in the 86th minute, unleashing a rocket into the roof of Mpasi’s net from the edge of the area after Jude Bellingham had initially been denied.

That goal was ultimately enough to fire the Three Lions into the last 16, where they face a daunting clash with Mexico at the famous Azteca.

As for DR Congo, a memorable tournament comes to an end with defeat in their first-ever knockout match.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Declan Rice (England)

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