DR Congo pushed England to the brink of one of the great World Cup shocks before Harry Kane’s late double sent Thomas Tuchel’s side through to the last 16, winning 2-1 in the Round of 32 at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
The Leopards, appearing in their first-ever World Cup knockout match and only their second World Cup finals since playing as Zaire in 1974, stunned England inside seven minutes. Chancel Mbemba’s long ball down the right caught Djed Spence out of position, allowing Brian Cipenga to burst clear and slot low past Jordan Pickford at his near post, sending shockwaves around Atlanta Stadium.
England, unbeaten through the group stage, laboured badly against a disciplined and well-organised DR Congo side marshalled superbly by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who produced a string of important saves, including a flying stop to deny Kane just before half-time. Yoane Wissa nearly doubled the Leopards’ lead when he struck the post from close range after slicing through England’s stretched backline, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was forced into a goal-line clearance to deny Marcus Rashford’s effort being needed at the other end.
Frustration boiled over as the match wore on, with England’s players increasingly rattled by DR Congo’s resilience and the crowd’s growing belief that an historic African upset was on the cards. With England’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, Tuchel turned to his bench. Substitute Anthony Gordon proved the catalyst, first setting up Kane to head home England’s equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, before combining again as Kane rifled in a stunning 86th-minute winner to complete the turnaround.
The brace took Kane above Brazilian legend Pele’s tally of 12 World Cup goals, moving him to 13 for his career and five for the tournament so far, a landmark reached in dramatic circumstances against opponents who refused to be overawed by the occasion.
DR Congo’s historic run ends at the first knockout hurdle, but their tournament — capped by their first-ever World Cup win, over Uzbekistan, in the group stage — marks a landmark chapter for Congolese football. England advance to face co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16.
