📅July 01, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
England players stand in front of their fans after the end of the World Cup Round of 32 match between England and Congo in Atlanta. AP Photo/Butch Dill
| Match | England vs DR Congo |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Round of 32 |
| Venue | Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta |
| Final Score | England 2-1 DR Congo |
| Goals | DR Congo: Brian Cipenga 7′ | England: Harry Kane 75′, 87′ |
| Result | England advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. |
| Next Match | England vs Mexico – July 5, Mexico City |
| Key Moment | Harry Kane’s 87th-minute winner completed England’s comeback. |
Harry Kane Double Saves England In Dramatic Knockout Comeback
England survived a major FIFA World Cup 2026™ scare in Atlanta, coming from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 in a tense Round of 32 knockout match. Brian Cipenga stunned the Three Lions with an early opener, but captain Harry Kane delivered when it mattered most.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were frustrated for long spells by a brilliant Lionel Mpasi performance in goal, but second-half substitutes Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka changed the rhythm of the match. Gordon assisted Kane’s equaliser before the England captain struck a brilliant late winner to send his side into the Round of 16.
- England defeated DR Congo 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
- Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a shock 7th-minute lead.
- Harry Kane scored twice in the 75th and 87th minutes to complete the comeback.
- Anthony Gordon changed the match from the bench and assisted Kane’s equaliser.
- Lionel Mpasi produced a superb goalkeeping display to frustrate England.
- England won a World Cup match after trailing at half-time for the first time in their football history.
- England will face tournament co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on July 5.
England 2-1 DR Congo: How The Match Went
England entered as favourites, but DR Congo immediately exposed the same tactical concern that had dominated the pre-match discussion: England’s makeshift right-back zone. With Djed Spence covering an injury-hit position, DR Congo targeted the channels early and found joy through direct switches and quick runners.
The shock arrived in the 7th minute. A crossfield ball from the right was flicked on by Chancel Mbemba, and Brian Cipenga found space to fire a low finish past Jordan Pickford. The goal stunned England and gave DR Congo the perfect platform to defend deep and counter.
Congo’s Brian Cipenga celebrates after scoring their first goal during the World Cup Round of 32 match between England and Congo in Atlanta. AP Photo/Butch Dill
England had plenty of the ball but struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Jude Bellingham was booked in the 19th minute, while DR Congo stayed compact and aggressive in midfield. On the stroke of half-time, Harry Kane nearly equalised with a close-range volley, but Lionel Mpasi produced a huge save to keep DR Congo ahead.
Tuchel responded in the second half by changing the wide areas. Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke were replaced by Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka in the 61st minute, and the substitutions finally stretched DR Congo’s defensive block.
England’s Harry Kane scores during the World Cup Round of 32 match between England and Congo in Atlanta. AP Photo/Colin Hubbard
The breakthrough came in the 75th minute. Gordon delivered a perfect cross into the penalty area, Kane spun away from his marker and headed England level. The goal shifted momentum completely, with DR Congo suddenly forced to defend deeper and England pushing for the winner.
In the 87th minute, Kane delivered the decisive moment. The England captain received the ball near the edge of the box and struck a brilliant rising shot inside the near post to make it 2-1. Yoane Wissa later missed a stoppage-time chance over the bar, but England survived and advanced.
England’s Harry Kane scores his side’s second goal during the World Cup Round of 32 match between England and Congo in Atlanta. AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman
📊 Match Timeline
| Minute | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 7′ | ⚽ GOAL! DR Congo 1-0 England | Chancel Mbemba flicks on a crossfield ball and Brian Cipenga fires low past Jordan Pickford. |
| 19′ | 🟨 Yellow Card | Jude Bellingham is cautioned as England’s frustration grows. |
| 45′ | 🧤 Big Save | Lionel Mpasi denies Harry Kane’s close-range volley to preserve DR Congo’s lead at half-time. |
| 61′ | 🔄 England tactical changes | Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka replace Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke to add width and pace. |
| 75′ | ⚽ GOAL! England 1-1 DR Congo | Anthony Gordon delivers a perfect cross and Harry Kane heads England level. |
| 87′ | ⚽ GOAL! England 2-1 DR Congo | Kane strikes a brilliant rising shot inside the near post from the edge of the box. |
| 90’+6′ | Late DR Congo chance | Yoane Wissa sends a stoppage-time opportunity over the bar as England survive. |
| Full-time | England win 2-1 | England advance to face Mexico in the Round of 16. |
🔎 Tactical Match Analysis
Flank vulnerabilities realised: England’s right-back issue was immediately exposed. DR Congo’s opener came from a move that attacked the channels and left Brian Cipenga free to punish the space.
The Mpasi wall: Lionel Mpasi turned in a superb goalkeeping display, denying Kane at close range and frustrating England with saves from dangerous headers and point-blank attempts.
Tuchel’s bench changed the match: Anthony Gordon’s introduction altered England’s attacking mechanics. His pace and direct crossing dragged DR Congo out of their compact defensive shell.
Kane’s elite finishing decided it: England were not fluent for much of the match, but Kane produced two captain’s goals: one header from Gordon’s delivery and one clinical rising strike late on.
Historic milestone: England won a World Cup match after trailing at half-time for the first time in their football history, making this comeback one of the most significant knockout wins of their campaign.
📋 Formations & Starting XIs
Starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane (C).
Substitutes Used: Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon.
Approach: Thomas Tuchel started with Noni Madueke over Bukayo Saka and used Djed Spence at right-back. England aimed to control possession through Rice and Anderson, with Bellingham supporting Kane centrally.
Starting XI: Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau; Nathanaël Mbuku, Yoane Wissa, Brian Cipenga.
Approach: Sébastien Desabre set up an athletic, quick-transition block with a dynamic front three. DR Congo looked to defend compactly, attack England’s right side and release Cipenga, Wissa and Mbuku quickly into space.
⭐ Top Performers
⭐ Harry Kane: England’s captain scored twice, including the late winner, to rescue his side in a difficult knockout tie.
⭐ Anthony Gordon: Changed the game from the bench and delivered the perfect assist for Kane’s equaliser.
⭐ Lionel Mpasi: Produced a brilliant goalkeeping performance and nearly carried DR Congo into extra time.
⭐ Brian Cipenga: Scored the shock opener and constantly threatened England’s vulnerable right channel.
⭐ Chancel Mbemba: Assisted the opening goal with a clever flick and led DR Congo’s defensive resistance.
⭐ Declan Rice: Helped England regain control in the second half and protected against late counters.
How England Beat DR Congo
England won this match through persistence, bench impact and elite finishing. For more than an hour, DR Congo successfully denied central spaces and forced England into low-percentage attacks. Mpasi’s saves increased the tension, while Cipenga’s opener gave the underdogs belief.
The match changed when Gordon and Saka came on. England suddenly had more width, more pace and better delivery from wide zones. Gordon’s cross for Kane’s equaliser forced DR Congo to defend deeper, and England’s pressure finally became sustained.
Kane’s second goal was the moment that separated a difficult night from a famous escape. The finish was ruthless, and England showed just enough control in stoppage time to survive Wissa’s late miss and close out the win.
🧠 What This Means For England
England advance to the Round of 16, but this was far from a perfect performance. Tuchel will be pleased with the resilience and the response from his substitutes, but the right-back issue remains a major warning sign before the Mexico clash.
The biggest positive is Kane’s form. England needed their captain under pressure, and he answered with two decisive goals. Gordon’s performance also gives Tuchel a selection dilemma for the next round, especially after his directness changed the match.
🧠 What This Means For DR Congo
DR Congo exit with pride after pushing England to the edge. Desabre’s side executed their plan superbly, exposed England’s defensive weakness and were minutes away from forcing extra time.
Cipenga’s goal, Mpasi’s goalkeeping and Mbemba’s leadership were major positives. Wissa’s stoppage-time miss will hurt, but DR Congo leave the tournament having shown tactical discipline, athletic intensity and real counter-attacking quality.
England defeated DR Congo 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 comeback, with Harry Kane scoring twice after Brian Cipenga had stunned the favourites early in Atlanta.
DR Congo’s counter-attacking plan worked for long spells, and Lionel Mpasi produced a heroic goalkeeping display, but Anthony Gordon’s impact and Kane’s ruthless finishing carried England into the Round of 16.
Player of the Match: Harry Kane ⭐
Key Moment: Kane’s 87th-minute winner
England Status: Advanced to Round of 16
DR Congo Status: Eliminated
Next Match: England vs Mexico, July 5 in Mexico City
FIFA World Cup 2026England vs DR CongoEnglandDR CongoRound of 32Harry KaneBrian CipengaAnthony GordonBukayo SakaJude BellinghamLionel MpasiThomas TuchelWorld Cup ReviewEngland vs Mexico
