The Three Lions of England escaped a World Cup shocker thanks to Harry Kane brace late in the second half as they claimed a 2-1 victory against DR Congo.
It was almost looking like a nightmare for Thomas Tuchel who was left in confusion all through before the equalizer came in and turned the tie around.
The match began with a surprise that sent ripples through the stadium. Just seven minutes in, DR Congo caught England off guard with a shocker.
A quick transition allowed Brian Cipenga to find space and slot the ball past Jordan Pickford, giving his team a dream start.
The goal changed the entire energy of the game. DR Congo sat deep and defended with incredible discipline after taking the lead in the encounter.
Every time England looked to find a rhythm, they were met by a wall of blue jerseys. Lionel Mpasi, the DR Congo goalkeeper, was in fine form, pulling off save after save to keep the favorites at bay.
As the halftime whistle blew with the Congolese national team leading 1-0, they looked poised to pull off the biggest upset of the 2026 tournament.
Coming out for the second half, the mood was frantic. England manager Thomas Tuchel, known for his tactical adjustments, clearly delivered a stern message during the break.
The team emerged with a higher tempo, looking to stretch the Congolese defense. Tuchel made bold changes just past the hour mark, bringing on fresh legs to inject pace into the wings.
The pressure began to mount as the English national team started to find pockets of space, and the frequency of their attacks increased.
Despite the constant waves of offense, DR Congo’s defensive unit continued to hold firm, with captain Chancel Mbemba leading his backline with composure.
As the clock crossed the 70th minute, anxiety was clearly etched on the faces of England fans. In the 75th minute, the breakthrough finally arrived for the Three Lions.
A beautiful delivery from the left found Harry Kane in the box. The captain rose above his marker and guided a header that just eluded the desperate reach of Mpasi.
The tension was momentarily broken, but the job was only half-done. With the scores level at 1-1, England pushed for the winner with everything they had.
The game became an end-to-end battle, with DR Congo occasionally threatening on the counter-attack to remind everyone of the stakes.
Then, in the 86th minute, the decisive moment arrived. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area, Kane turned with purpose.
Showing the clinical finishing, he unleashed a rising shot that flew into the top corner. It was a goal of pure quality in the 86th minute which made it 2-1.
The final whistle brought a mix of relief for England and heartache for DR Congo as the match came to an end with a 2-1 result after 90 minutes.
While the result ends DR Congo’s journey, they leave the tournament with their heads held high, having pushed one of the world’s best teams to the very limit.
This victory for England serves as a vital wake-up call. They showed resilience, overcoming a deficit and the frustration of a resolute opponent.
With their spot in the Round of 16 now secured, the Three Lions prepare to face co-host Mexico in Mexico City this Sunday.
If today’s match proved anything, it is that in the World Cup, no opponent can be underestimated, and every goal must be earned. As they move forward, England will need this same energy if they hope to lift the trophy.
