Atlanta: Harry Kane’s two goals rescue England against DR Congo

By Rohan Gupta — 1 July 2026 — 3 min read

England’s Comeback in Atlanta

England secured a spot in the World Cup round of 16 after a challenging match against DR Congo in Atlanta. The team overcame a scare, coming from behind to win 2-1 on Wednesday night, July 1, 2026. Despite the loss, DR Congo earned recognition for their performance against one of the tournament favorites.

Against pre-match expectations, DR Congo took an early lead. A cross from the right found Brian Cipenga unmarked at the far post. He settled the ball and fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner, beating Jordan Pickford at his near post and giving his team the advantage.

England created their first significant opportunity around the half-hour mark when Declan Rice delivered a cross that Jude Bellingham headed towards the top-right corner. However, Lionel Mpasi made a one-handed save, pushing the ball away. Moments later, Noni Madueke set up Marcus Rashford, whose close-range effort was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

During a hydration break, Thomas Tuchel attempted to calm his players, but Mpasi continued to be a formidable presence in goal, making several saves to maintain DR Congo‘s lead. Just before halftime, Wan-Bissaka delivered a cross to the near post, where Yoane Wissa‘s first-time shot hit the base of the post.

England then had a penalty appeal denied when Harry Kane went down in the box under contact from Mpasi. Referee Adham Makhadmeh waved away the appeal, judging that Kane had exaggerated the fall, a decision upheld by VAR despite protests from England.

Kane’s Decisive Performance

As the second half progressed, England continued to create chances but struggled to convert them, with Mpasi holding firm. Tuchel grew increasingly agitated on the sideline. Eventually, DR Congo‘s defense was breached in the 75th minute when Kane met Anthony Gordon‘s floated cross with a header that beat Mpasi.

England‘s captain then scored the decisive goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation time. He took a touch to move the ball away from Axel Tuanzebe before unleashing a right-footed shot that found the roof of the net, securing the comeback victory for England.

The relief among England‘s players and fans was evident at the final whistle. Kane‘s two goals were crucial in turning a potential defeat into a victory, saving what some described as a moment of generational trauma for England football. His performance was seen as not only saving Tuchel‘s job but also his reputation.

Kane now has five goals in this World Cup and 84 for England. His career has been marked by a deep will to reach high levels. The winning strike, 85 minutes into a frustrating game, highlighted his connection with the ball.

Looking Ahead for England

The match in Atlanta was played under challenging conditions, with the city experiencing significant heat. However, the air inside the stadium dome was cool and breezy. Despite the victory, England‘s performance in the early stages of the game showed some tactical imbalances and a lack of cohesion.

The right side of England‘s formation, with Djed Spence and Noni Madueke, struggled initially. Spence‘s positioning contributed to DR Congo‘s opening goal, leaving space that Brian Cipenga exploited. There were observations that England lacked a dedicated defensive midfielder to track runs effectively.

For long periods, DR Congo‘s tactical discipline exposed what was described as England‘s ragged naivety. Bellingham‘s extensive movement sometimes left DR Congo with an extra man in midfield. Despite these challenges, England showed spirit to turn the game around.

England will now face Mexico in Mexico City in the round of 16.

Source: thehindu.com