England recovered from an early setback to defeat DR Congo 2-1 and secure their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup, with captain Harry Kane delivering another decisive performance when his country needed him most.
The Three Lions looked on course for a comfortable evening on paper but were stunned inside the opening seven minutes when Brian Cipenga punished slack defending to give the African side a dream start.
Chancel Mbemba’s superb cross-field pass picked out the unmarked winger, who cut inside before drilling a low finish beyond Jordan Pickford to leave Thomas Tuchel’s side chasing the game.
BRIAN CIPENGA FIRES DR Congo into a shock 1-0 lead against England after just seven minutes! What a moment for the winger as he celebrates his first-ever international goal in stunning fashion.
England initially struggled to respond as DR Congo’s disciplined defensive shape frustrated their attacking stars, while Yoane Wissa and Nathanael Mbuku continued to threaten on the counterattack.
After a cooling break midway through the first half, England gradually began to find their rhythm.
Marcus Rashford came closest when his low strike, created by Noni Madueke’s dangerous run down the right, was brilliantly cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka to preserve DR Congo’s advantage.
Jude Bellingham twice forced outstanding saves from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, while Harry Kane saw appeals for a penalty waved away after a VAR review confirmed there had been no infringement.
Harry Kane saw appeals for a penalty waved away after a VAR review confirmed there had been no infringement.
England’s frustrations continued before the break as Wissa struck the outside of the post for DR Congo before Mpasi produced another superb stop to deny Kane from close range deep into first-half stoppage time.
Tuchel responded after the restart by introducing Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon, changes that transformed England’s attacking intensity.
Rashford almost levelled with a dazzling solo effort that flashed narrowly wide before England continued to pin DR Congo deep inside their own half.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 75th minute when Gordon delivered an inviting cross from the left and Kane rose highest to guide a perfectly placed header beyond Mpasi and restore parity.
With momentum firmly behind England, Kane completed the turnaround 11 minutes later.
hen Gordon delivered an inviting cross from the left and Kane rose highest to guide a perfectly placed header beyond Mpasi and restore parity.
After Bellingham’s initial effort was blocked, the captain reacted quickest to smash an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net, giving Mpasi no chance and sending England into the lead for the first time.
DR Congo refused to surrender and almost forced extra time moments later when substitute Meschack Elia unleashed a fierce effort that required an outstanding reflex save from Pickford.
England survived late pressure before seeing out six minutes of stoppage time to seal their place in the next round.
The victory sends Tuchel’s side into a mouthwatering last-16 meeting with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, while DR Congo bow out having produced one of the performances of the knockout stage despite falling agonisingly short of another famous upset.
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Although England eventually progressed, Tuchel’s men were forced to dig far deeper than expected, with Kane’s leadership and clinical finishing ultimately proving the difference against a courageous Congolese side that pushed one of the tournament favourites all the way.
