Kane rescues England with late double against Congo DR

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GOAL

·1 July 2026

Kane rescues England with late double against Congo DR

England survived a major World Cup scare as Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to complete a 2–1 comeback victory over Congo DR in Atlanta. Brian Cipenga had given the Leopards a shock seventh-minute lead, and Lionel Mpasi-Nzau produced a heroic display in goal to keep them ahead until the 75th minute.

Thomas Tuchel's double substitution at the hour mark proved decisive, with Anthony Gordon providing both assists as Kane struck at 75 and 86 minutes to send England through to face Mexico. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from England v Congo DR.

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Winners

Harry Kane (England)

Kane delivered when his country needed him most, scoring twice in 11 minutes to turn a potential disaster into a knockout-round victory. His 75th-minute header from Gordon's cross levelled the match, then his powerful right-footed finish completed the turnaround at 86 minutes.

The England captain had endured a frustrating evening before his breakthrough, with Axel Tuanzebe blocking his best first-half chance when he broke through one-on-one. Mpasi-Nzau also denied him with an instinctive close-range save. Kane stayed patient and clinical when the openings finally arrived.

His two goals took him to five for the tournament and extended his record as England's all-time leading World Cup scorer. Without Kane's composure under pressure, England's campaign would have ended against a nation playing their first-ever World Cup knockout match.

Anthony Gordon (England)

Gordon transformed the match from the bench with two assists in 11 minutes that rescued England's World Cup. Replacing Marcus Rashford at 61 minutes, the substitute immediately showed greater directness on the left flank and created both goals that completed the comeback.

His first decisive contribution came at 75 minutes when he controlled Declan Rice's cross at the back post before delivering the perfect ball for Kane's headed equaliser. Just 11 minutes later, Gordon collected the rebound from Mpasi-Nzau's save and found Kane unmarked for the winner.

Tuchel's decision to introduce Gordon vindicated the timing of his substitutions after England had failed to convert multiple big chances with the starting attackers. Gordon's arrival shifted momentum decisively in England's favour during the crucial final 30 minutes of a World Cup knockout match.

Loser

Djed Spence (England)

Spence endured a difficult evening that directly contributed to Congo DR's opening goal. He was caught centrally marking Noah Sadiki's run in the seventh minute, leaving Cipenga completely unmarked at the far post to finish Chancel Mbemba's diagonal pass.

The right-back continued to struggle with defensive assignments against Cipenga's intelligent movement and pace throughout the first half. Thomas Tuchel was explicitly critical of Spence's difficulties during the match, with his positioning repeatedly exposed by Congo DR's direct approach on the counter.

Spence was replaced at 70 minutes by Eberechi Eze, with Declan Rice shifting to right-back to cover the position. His substitution highlighted how his defensive vulnerability had become a liability England could not afford to carry in a World Cup knockout match they were trailing.