Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes as England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 on Wednesday and book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
England looked set for a shock exit after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo an early lead, but Kane stepped up when his team needed him the most. The captain headed in the equaliser in the 75th minute before firing home a superb winner four minutes from time to complete the comeback.
The victory sends England to Mexico City, where they will face co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
DR Congo made a dream start when Cipenga finished powerfully from a tight angle in the seventh minute after latching onto a long ball from captain Chancel Mbemba. It was the 28-year-old’s first international goal and gave the underdogs a surprise lead.
England pushed hard for an equaliser before half-time. Declan Rice’s free kick took a deflection and went just wide, while another excellent delivery from Rice found Jude Bellingham, whose header was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Marcus Rashford also saw his shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Mpasi produced more fine saves to deny Bellingham and Kane. England also had a penalty appeal turned down.
DR Congo nearly doubled their lead just before the break when Wan-Bissaka’s cross found Yoane Wissa, whose effort struck the post.
Mpasi continued his impressive display early in the second half with another excellent save from Bellingham as England struggled to break through the well-organised Congolese defence. Tuchel responded by making several substitutions as frustration grew on the touchline.
England finally found the breakthrough in the 75th minute when Kane escaped his marker to head home Anthony Gordon’s cross.
The striker then completed the turnaround with a brilliant long-range strike that flew into the net. It was Kane’s 13th FIFA World Cup goal, taking him past Pele on the tournament’s all-time scoring list.
