Atlanta, July 2: In a gripping match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, England secured their place in the next round by defeating DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 on Wednesday. The team will now face Mexico on July 6 at the Mexico City Stadium.
Captain Harry Kane showcased his exceptional skills by scoring both goals for England, helping the team recover after initially trailing by one goal.
The match, held at Atlanta Stadium, saw DR Congo take the lead in the seventh minute with a goal from Brian Sipenda. However, Kane equalized in the 75th minute and then netted the winning goal in the 86th minute, turning the tide in England’s favor.
This marks the first time since 1986 that the “Three Lions” have come back to win a match after being down by a goal at halftime, advancing them to the Round of 16. England, the champions of the 1966 World Cup, maintained their unbeaten record against African teams in their last nine World Cup encounters, continuing this streak in Atlanta.
Following the early exits of Germany and the Netherlands from the knockout stage, there were concerns that England might also face an early departure as they were trailing for over an hour. Despite creating several chances in the second half, they faced strong resistance from DR Congo’s goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, who made several remarkable saves to keep his team’s hopes alive.
DR Congo, making their first appearance in a World Cup knockout match, started strong with Sipenda’s goal, assisted by a cross-field pass from Chancel Mbemba. Sipenda, completely unmarked on the left side of the box, struck a low shot that beat England’s Jordan Pickford at the near post.
England took some time to respond, generating multiple scoring opportunities, but Mpasi thwarted headers from Jude Bellingham and a close-range volley from Kane just before halftime.
On the other hand, DR Congo nearly doubled their lead when Yoane Wissa hit the post from a low cross by Wan-Bissaka.
A tactical change by coach Thomas Tuchel, bringing in wingers, sparked hope for a comeback. Substitute Anthony Gordon assisted Kane with a cross, allowing him to score with a header. Kane’s shots in the 75th and 86th minutes secured England’s victory.
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
