Harry Kane’s late goals secure England’s comeback win against DR Congo

By Arjun Nair / 02.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 2 July 2026 — 3 min read

England secured a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup after Harry Kane scored two late goals, leading to a 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in Atlanta. The win averted a potential upset for Thomas Tuchel‘s side, who had fallen behind early in the match.

The match saw DR Congo take an early lead through Brian Cipenga, whose shot beat Jordan Pickford at his near post. This put England in a challenging position, as they have not won a knockout game after conceding first since 1966. However, Harry Kane‘s performance proved pivotal in turning the tide.

Kane’s Impactful Performance

Harry Kane‘s first goal came after Declan Rice, playing at right-back, passed to substitute Anthony Gordon. Gordon then delivered a cross which Kane headed home with significant power, beating the previously resilient DR Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi. This equaliser came 15 minutes from time.

The winning goal, Kane‘s second of the match, was also assisted by Anthony Gordon. Kane received the ball from Gordon, took a touch to move past defenders, and then struck a powerful shot into the net. This goal, scored in the 86th minute, sealed the victory for England.

Anthony Gordon, who recently signed with Barcelona from Newcastle, praised Kane‘s abilities after the game, comparing him to Lionel Messi. Gordon highlighted Kane‘s consistency and high-level performance in both training and matches, noting that Kane‘s dedication is an inspiration to his teammates.

Challenges and VAR Decisions

Despite the win, England faced scrutiny over defensive vulnerabilities, particularly at right-back, where Djed Spence started due to injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah. DR Congo‘s early goal originated from this flank, raising questions about Tuchel‘s squad selection.

The match also featured several controversial VAR decisions. Harry Kane was denied a penalty, with the referee not even sending it for review, a decision that was questioned by some analyses. Additionally, Belgium was awarded a penalty in the 125th minute of their match, which many believed involved initial contact outside the box. A red card for Balogun also drew criticism, with the foul being described as accidental or reckless rather than violent.

DR Congo‘s coach acknowledged that it took the abilities of the world’s best striker to defeat his team. This defeat ended DR Congo‘s impressive run in the World Cup, marking their return to the tournament after 52 years. They had not won a point or scored a goal in the competition until this tournament.

Looking Ahead

England will now prepare to face co-hosts Mexico in the last 16. The upcoming match will be held at the Estadio Azteca. Tuchel emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong mindset, even when facing difficulties, and credited his players for their belief and resilience.

Harry Kane, who now has 13 World Cup goals and five for the current tournament, continues to be a key player in the battle for the Golden Boot. Barcelona had reportedly enquired about Kane during the World Cup, as his contract is set to expire next year. However, reports suggest Kane is expected to remain at Bayern and sign a new contract, with Barcelona potentially focusing on Julian Alvarez instead.

The next match for England is against Mexico in the last 16.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com