Harry Kane scored a brilliant double to inspire England to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over DR Congo and set up a World Cup last-16 showdown with co-hosts Mexico.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were given a scare by DR Congo, who scored through Brian Cipenga only seven minutes into the first World Cup knockout game in their history, but Kane came to the rescue.
After heading in substitute Anthony Gordon’s cross to bring England level with a quarter of an hour remaining, Kane rifled home a stunning 86th-minute winner to complete the comeback.
The double takes him above Brazil legend Pele on 13 goals at World Cups and ensures England will face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16, kicking off a 1am (BST) on Monday.
England were made to work hard for the victory, with Cipenga capitalising on defensive disarray to beat Jordan Pickford at his near post for the shock opener before DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made a string of saves to keep England at bay at the other end.
Jude Bellingham was thwarted on three occasions, while Marcus Rashford had a shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, leaving it to Kane to make the breakthrough having earlier been controversially denied a penalty after going to ground following contact from Mpasi.
More to follow…
The key moments from Atlanta…
- 7: GOAL! Brian Cipenga beats Jordan Pickford at his near post as DR Congo score shock opener
- 30: SAVE! England finally have their first shot as Jude Bellingham’s header is palmed away by Lionel Mpasi
- 35: OFF THE LINE! Marcus Rashford has a shot cleared off the line from Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- 42: OFF THE POST! Let-off for England as Yoane Wissa hits the post from close range
- 43: NO PENALTY! Harry Kane is controversially penalised for diving after appearing to be caught by Mpasi in the box
- 46+2: SAVE! Bellingham is denied again as Mpasi saves his header from Noni Madueke’s cross
- 45+6: SAVE Mpasi keeps out Harry Kane’s shot at his near post
- 53: SAVE! Mpasi rescues DR Congo again as Bellingham’s deflected cross is saved
- 75: BREAKTHROUGH! Kane heads in England’s leveller from Anthony Gordon’s cross
- 86: GOAL! Kane makes space for himself in the Congo box and rifles an unstoppable strike into the net
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