ATLANTA, GEORGIA / EuroWire / – England reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 after captain Harry Kane scored twice late in a 2-1 win over Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday. Congo DR led through Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute goal and held that advantage at halftime. Kane equalized in the 75th minute, then scored again in the 86th to complete England’s comeback in the Round of 32.
Cipenga gave Congo DR an early lead with a low right-footed finish from the left side of the area. The chance followed a long pass from Chancel Mbemba that reached Cipenga behind England’s back line. Jordan Pickford was beaten at his near post. The goal was Cipenga’s first for his country and gave Congo DR control of the scoreline for more than an hour.
England created chances before halftime but could not beat Lionel Mpasi. The Congo DR goalkeeper saved a Jude Bellingham header and later stopped efforts from Bellingham and Kane. Marcus Rashford also saw a shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Congo DR nearly doubled its lead in the 43rd minute when Yoane Wissa met Wan-Bissaka’s cross and hit the post.
Kane turns the match
England increased pressure after the break and changed the match through its substitutes. Anthony Gordon, who came on in the second half, supplied the cross for Kane’s equalizer. Kane found space in the box and directed a header toward goal. Mpasi got a hand to the ball, but the effort crossed the line to bring England level with 15 minutes left.
Kane scored the winner 11 minutes later with a right-footed shot from outside the area. The goal gave England a 2-1 lead and ended Congo DR’s resistance after a disciplined defensive display. Kane’s two goals took his FIFA World Cup total to 13. He also extended his England record to 84 goals and moved to five goals in the 2026 tournament.
England advances to Mexico test
The result sent England into the last 16 and ended Congo DR’s run in the expanded 48-team World Cup. England had won Group L with two victories and a draw before facing Congo DR. Thomas Tuchel’s side has now advanced to the knockout rounds in three straight World Cup editions. England will next play co-host Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday.
DR Congo left the tournament after its first World Cup knockout match. The team had already made history in this edition with its first World Cup goal, point and win since competing as Zaire in 1974. Coach Sébastien Desabre’s side started the Round of 32 strongly and defended deep for long spells, but Kane’s late double decided the match for England.