England 2-1 DR Congo Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Harry Kane's Crucial Brace Drives Three Lions Into Round Of 16

England

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

DR Congo

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel ‌Mpasi (Le Havre).

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky ⁠Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur ⁠Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United).

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack ‌Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo ​Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel ‌Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland).

Forwards: Cedric ​Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United).

England XI: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane

DR Congo XI: Mpasi, Masuaku, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka, Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Cipenga, Wissa, Mbuku.

"It is the nature of knockout football. The match between Netherlands and Morocco sounds like a quarter or a semifinal, and Brazil against Japan is for sure worth a quarterfinal of any tournament because of the quality of the two teams.

"What it shows to me... Canada found a winner in stoppage time [against South Africa], Morocco equalised in stoppage time then it went all the way. Germany went all the way to penalties.

"I think it can calm us down in a way. It is just narrow margins. It is tight football matches and it helps us not to over-expect and put it in the right framework, what has happened in this World Cup.

"Teams are well drilled, teams defend on the highest level, teams are well prepared and it is difficult for any team to break teams down, especially when you arrive as favourite and face teams with nothing to lose. For me, it helps us to calm our minds, accept the situation and make the most of it."

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• Live stream: Zee5

England is facing a significant defensive injury crisis ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against DR Congo, with manager Thomas Tuchel deprived of his two primary right-back options. Reece James remains sidelined with a persistent hamstring injury, and his replacement, Jarell Quansah, has been ruled out after sustaining a nasty ankle injury in the final group-stage win over Panama. These setbacks follow the pre-tournament withdrawal of Tino Livramento, leaving the versatile Tottenham full-back Djed Spence as the expected starter to fill the void at right-back. Despite these defensive concerns, the remainder of the 26-man squad—including Declan Rice, who is managing his workload—participated in full training on Tuesday, providing a near-complete roster for the start of the knockout stage.

The Round of 32 clash between England and DR Congo is officially underway at the Atlanta Stadium. Following the pre-match anthems and the coin toss, England kicked off the proceedings, signaling the start of this highly anticipated knockout stage fixture. Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh is officiating the contest, overseeing a match that carries significant stakes: the winner will advance to the quarter-finals to face co-hosts Mexico. England, looking to capitalize on their Group L success, have started the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while DR Congo seek to continue their historic tournament run in a 4-3-3 setup.

GOOOOAAAALLLLL! Shockwaves in Atlanta as the Leopards strike first to take a 1-0 lead over England! Chadrac Akolo—finding himself in acres of space after a magnificent, quarterback-style diagonal switch from captain Chancel Mbemba—capitalized on the defensive lapse. The Almeria winger controlled the ball with composure before lashing a low strike past Jordan Pickford at the near post. It is a historic maiden international goal for the forward, and it couldn't have come at a more crucial moment in this Round of 32 clash.

England’s frustration is beginning to show; Jude Bellingham has been issued the match’s first yellow card after a reckless challenge on Mbuku, a clear sign that the Three Lions must regain their composure to avoid further discipline as they chase an equalizer.

England are turning up the heat, forcing Lionel Mpasi into two crucial interventions in quick succession! First, Declan Rice’s dangerous free-kick from the right caught Ezri Konsa’s knee, redirecting the ball narrowly past the post and leaving the Congolese keeper scrambling. Shortly after, Mpasi proved his agility once more, reacting brilliantly to parry away a sharp header from Jude Bellingham inside the box. The momentum is firmly with the Three Lions as they press for an equalizer.

England are agonizingly close to an equalizer! Noni Madueke sparked the danger with a dazzling run to the byline, cutting inside to deliver a precise clipped ball that was flicked toward the goal. Marcus Rashford looked certain to level the score, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka produced a heroic last-ditch intervention to clear the ball right off the line, preserving DR Congo's slender lead.

DR Congo nearly doubled their lead in a moment of defensive chaos for England! Ezri Konsa and Marc Guéhi were caught completely out of position as Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Yoane Wissa. Wissa’s first-time strike caught the woodwork, leaving the Three Lions breathing a massive sigh of relief as they scramble to tighten up their exposed back line.

Penalty appeals waved away! Harry Kane chased down a long ball and collided with the onrushing Lionel Mpasi, but the referee immediately signaled in favor of the goalkeeper. No penalty is given, and England's frustration mounts as the challenge is ruled the other way.

What a miraculous save from Lionel Mpasi! Jude Bellingham did everything right, connecting with a beautiful cross and directing a downward header toward the bottom corner, but the Congolese keeper pulled off an athletic, highlight-reel stop to deny him. Despite having made just four appearances for Le Havre this season, Mpasi is playing like a tournament veteran, producing a world-class save that keeps his side in the lead.

The "Mpasi Wall" continues to hold firm! In another moment of desperation for England, a deep corner from Declan Rice found Harry Kane, who connected with a clean volley toward the goal. It seemed destined for the net, but the Congolese keeper managed a spectacular reflex block at the back post to deny the England captain, single-handedly keeping his side in front as the pressure intensifies.

In a dramatic first half at Atlanta Stadium, underdogs DR Congo secured a shock 1–0 lead against England in their Round of 32 clash. The decisive moment arrived in the seventh minute when winger Brian Cipenga—left unmarked after a brilliant diagonal switch from captain Chancel Mbemba—slotted a low finish past Jordan Pickford for his first international goal. England struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Congolese defensive block, often appearing vulnerable on the counter. Despite the deficit, Thomas Tuchel’s side ramped up the pressure late in the half, with Jude Bellingham forcing a stunning reflex save from Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. England also saw an Ezri Konsa effort strike the post and a Harry Kane penalty appeal dismissed by the referee following a VAR review. As the half concluded, DR Congo’s resilience and Mpasi’s inspired goalkeeping ensured they headed into the break with their narrow lead intact.

England’s search for an equalizer continues to prove elusive. Though a second successive corner from the right failed to yield a direct chance, the Three Lions recycled possession effectively to keep the pressure on. The phase of play eventually unlocked the defense with a sharp pass into the path of Marcus Rashford on the left, but his low-driven strike could only ripple the side netting.

Jude Bellingham continues to spearhead England's hunt for an equalizer, darting down the left flank to unleash a powerful, deflected strike that seemed destined for the net. Yet again, Lionel Mpasi proved impossible to beat. The goalkeeper demonstrated incredible reflexes, adjusting his body while falling to parry the ball away, before Chancel Mbemba arrived just in time to smash the danger clear. Mpasi remains an impenetrable wall in Atlanta.

Thomas Tuchel has turned to his bench in a bid to inject fresh energy into England’s stagnant attack. The first substitution is a like-for-like swap on the right flank, with Noni Madueke making way for Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka. Moments later, a second tactical shift sees Marcus Rashford replaced on the left by recent Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon. The Three Lions are clearly looking to increase their pace and creative output as they hunt for a way back into this match.

England are back on level terms! After sustained pressure and repeated frustration, the Three Lions have finally broken through Lionel Mpasi’s resistance. The equalizer came courtesy of a brilliant combination between the two substitutes: Anthony Gordon lofted a precise delivery from the left flank, picking out Harry Kane, who peeled away from his marker to calmly nod the ball into the bottom-left corner. The relief is palpable inside the stadium as England finally find the breakthrough they have been desperately chasing.

DR Congo has responded impressively, refusing to retreat into a shell despite conceding the equalizer. Meschack Elia looked dangerous high on the left flank, but Declan Rice stood firm to halt his progress. At the other end, Bukayo Saka attempted to ignite a fresh wave of momentum, forcing the Congolese defense to scramble as play shifted across the pitch. Having finally restored parity, England has transitioned from the frantic desperation that defined their earlier efforts toward a more controlled, patient approach in their search for a potential winner.

England have turned the game on its head to take a 2–1 lead, and it’s Captain Fantastic once again! The goal was a masterclass in counter-attacking football: following a quick transition after a Congolese attack, Jude Bellingham forced another save from the tireless Lionel Mpasi. The ball was quickly recycled to Anthony Gordon, who teed up Harry Kane on the edge of the area. Kane didn't hesitate, unleashing an unstoppable strike high into the right corner to secure his brace.

Gordon has been instrumental since coming on, registering his second assist of the match and proving to be the catalyst for the turnaround. With this strike, Kane becomes the first England player to net a double in a World Cup knockout stage match since Gary Lineker’s iconic performance against Cameroon in 1990.

England advanced to the Round of 16 following their resilient 2–1 comeback victory over DR Congo in Atlanta.

Despite falling behind to an early goal from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute, the Three Lions displayed great resilience to overturn the deficit in the second half. Captain Harry Kane was the hero, scoring both goals for England—a header in the 75th minute and a clinical finish from the edge of the area in the 86th minute—to seal a dramatic comeback. Anthony Gordon, who came off the bench, proved pivotal by providing the assist for both of Kane's strikes.

DR Congo, making their first-ever appearance in a World Cup knockout match, pushed England until the final whistle, but the Three Lions' pressure eventually proved too much. England now moves on to face co-hosts Mexico in the next round.