Evening Standard
·1 Juli 2026
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·1 Juli 2026
England reach last-16 after a Harry Kane-inspired comeback win over DR Congo
England have discovered who they will face in the World Cup round of 16 after they beat DR Congo in the first knockout round.
The Three Lions made the worst possible start to the round of 32 showdown as they faced the Leopards for the first time ever at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Brian Cipenga scored the opener after just seven minutes as he took full advantage of some poor England defending to squeeze an effort past Jordan Pickford at his near post.
DR Congo came agonisingly close to doubling their lead when Yoane Wissa hit the woodwork from close range before Harry Kane had a penalty shout turned down shortly before half-time.
The England captain, however, did find an equaliser in the 75th minute as he headed home a cross from substitute Anthony Gordon.
With the possibility of extra-time and penalties looming, Kane then scored what proved to be the winning goal, sending an effort into the roof of the net for his fifth goal of this summer’s expanded tournament in North America.
Furthermore, the comeback leaves Thomas Tuchel's side three wins away from reaching a second-ever World Cup final - 60 years on from beating West Germany at Wembley to claim football's richest prize.
Before that, England will come up against co-hosts Mexico in the last-16 during the early hours of Monday morning for UK viewers.
The tie will be staged at the formidable Estadio Azteca after Mexico easily brushed aside Ecuador.







































