Harry Kane compared to Lionel Messi after late heroics see England into World Cup last 16 | OneFootball

Three Lions skipper spared his side’s blushes against the DR Congo

Ezri Konsa believes Harry Kane is doing for England what Lionel Messi does for Argentina.

England set up a last-16 clash with Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday when they came from a goal down to beat DR Congo 2-1 courtesy of two late goals in the space of 11 minutes from Kane.

The two goals scored by the captain saw him overtake Pele to become the men’s World Cup’s joint sixth all-time leading scorer.

England’s top scorer also has more goals at major tournaments for his country than anyone else, and with five goals he trails only France’s Kylian Mbappe and 39-year-old reigning world champion Messi (six each) in the race for the golden boot.

Captain fantastic: Harry Kane

PA Wire

“It is like Argentina with Messi — and we’ve got that in Harry Kane here,” Konsa said.

“We know his qualities. We know how many games he can score in. That’s his job. That’s what he does. He loves scoring goals, and we love watching him score goals.”

Konsa believes Kane’s swivel and finish into the roof of the net for England’s winner against DR Congo is one of the great World Cup goals in the Three Lions’ history.

“From my angle, if you look at it he was outside the post. I don’t know how he’s managed to wrap his foot around it and get it in with that much power.

“But like I’ve said before, it’s what he does. He scores goals, and it’s nothing new for us.”

DR Congo opened the scoring at Atlanta Stadium through Brian Cipenga and have allowed their opponents counter-attacks in all four of their 2026 World Cup matches.

Mexico have won all four of their games without conceding a goal yet score many of their own strikes through fast breakaways.

Yet Konsa insisted: “We’ve got enough at the back to stop a counter. Look, they’re doing well, but we’re here to make an upset and win the game on Sunday.”

The defender added that he believes the defensive solidity England had during qualification — when they did not concede a single goal — is still present.

“Yes, definitely. I’ve got a great relationship with Marc [Guehi] at the back, and whoever I play with I enjoy each moment.

“I thought the last game against Panama we were a bit too exposed at the back. But I thought [against DR Congo] we kept that shut.

“They had a chance to go 2-0 up in the first half with [Yoane] Wissa hitting the post. But there are always things to improve on, and I’m sure that’s what we’re going to do, going into Sunday’s game.”