Kane's brace fires England past Congo DR 2-1, into FIFA WC last 16
Synopsis
Trailing since the 7th minute and staring at a shock exit, England needed their captain to rescue them — and Kane delivered two goals in 11 minutes to overturn a deficit that had lasted over an hour. It is England's first half-time-deficit World Cup win since 1986, and Kane's fifth goal of a campaign that is quietly becoming one of the great individual World Cup runs.
Key Takeaways
Harry Kane scored in the 75th and 86th minutes to give England a 2-1 win over DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium on 1 July 2026 .
Brian Cipenga had given Congo DR the lead with his first international goal in the 7th minute .
England advance to the Round of 16 where they will face Mexico .
This is the first time since 1986 that England have won a World Cup match after trailing at half-time.
Kane's brace takes his FIFA World Cup finals tally to 13 goals , with 5 in the 2026 campaign.
Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made several brilliant saves to keep Congo DR ahead before Kane's late intervention.
Harry Kane scored twice in the final quarter-hour to engineer a dramatic comeback as England defeated DR Congo 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 fixture at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, 1 July, booking a Round of 16 date with Mexico. The Three Lions trailed from the seventh minute but refused to fold, with Kane's 75th- and 86th-minute strikes sealing a hard-fought victory that keeps England's World Cup dream alive.
How the Goals Fell
Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a shock lead in the 7th minute, scoring his maiden international goal to silence the England camp. Cipenga, who had previously provided the assist for Axel Tuanzebe's qualifying goal against Jamaica, went one better here with a composed early finish that left England chasing the game for over an hour.
Kane broke the deadlock in the 75th minute with a well-placed header, connecting from a cross delivered by substitute Anthony Gordon off a ball in from Declan Rice. Eleven minutes later, Kane put the match beyond doubt, advancing into the area after receiving from Gordon and rocketing a shot into the roof of the net — his second of the night and the goal that clinched progression.
Congo Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi Stood Tall
The scoreline does not fully reflect how close this contest was. Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced a string of brilliant saves to keep his side in front well past the hour mark. At the start of the second half, Mpasi made a double stop — first denying Jude Bellingham's shot to the near post, then pushing out the rebound with help from Chancel Mbemba.
Marcus Rashford also spurned a clear opportunity, firing into the side-netting after finding space in the area in a position similar to Cipenga's opener. England were also denied what appeared to be a penalty when Kane was brought down inside the box, but the referee waved play on.
Historic Comeback for the Three Lions
This is the first time since 1986 that England have come from behind at half-time to win a World Cup match — a statistic that underlines just how rare this kind of resilience has been for the 1966 champions. The result also carries wider significance: with both Germany and the Netherlands having already exited in the knockout stage, England avoided joining the list of European heavyweights to depart early from this North American tournament.
Kane's World Cup Legacy Grows
The brace took Harry Kane's total to 13 FIFA World Cup finals goals, with five coming in this 2026 North American campaign alone. The England skipper's ability to deliver in pressure moments — with the team a goal down and time running out — reinforced his standing as one of the tournament's defining figures.
What Comes Next
England now face Mexico in the Round of 16, a fixture that promises to be a far sterner test than the group stage suggested. The Three Lions will need to be sharper from the outset if they are to avoid another slow start of the kind that nearly cost them against Congo DR.
Point of View
And that distinction matters heading into the knockout rounds. Trailing for over an hour against a Congo DR side ranked well below them, with a goalkeeper — Mpasi — as the difference-maker for most of the match, raises legitimate questions about England's ability to impose themselves early. Kane's genius masked structural problems: Rashford wasted a gilt-edged chance, a clear penalty was waved away, and the team needed a substitute's cross to unlock the game. With Mexico next, England cannot afford another slow start. The 1986 comparison is flattering; the performance was anything but vintage.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of England vs DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
England defeated DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 at Atlanta Stadium on 1 July 2026. Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to overturn a first-half deficit and send England into the Round of 16.
Who scored for England against DR Congo?
Harry Kane scored both England goals — a header in the 75th minute and a shot into the roof of the net in the 86th minute. Both goals were set up with involvement from substitute Anthony Gordon.
Who scored for DR Congo against England?
Brian Cipenga scored DR Congo's goal in the 7th minute, his first international goal. Cipenga had previously assisted Axel Tuanzebe's goal that helped Congo DR qualify for the World Cup.
Who will England face in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16?
England will face Mexico in the Round of 16 after their 2-1 win over DR Congo. The fixture is a direct result of England finishing their Round of 32 campaign at Atlanta Stadium.
How many World Cup goals does Harry Kane have after the Congo DR match?
Harry Kane now has 13 FIFA World Cup finals goals in total, with 5 of those coming in the 2026 North American campaign alone, making him one of the tournament's top scorers.
