Harry Kane Saves England Again With a Late Brace, But Their Biggest Test Is Still Ahead

England's World Cup experience has become a familiar kind of agony — persistent, self-inflicted, and ultimately defied only by their captain. Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was another chapter in exactly that story.

DR Congo came into their Round of 32 match against England having never played a World Cup knockout game before — their last appearance in the tournament was in 1974 as Zaire. Yet from the moment a DR Congo forward fired past Jordan Pickford in the seventh minute, the prospect of one of the tournament's greatest upsets began to feel very real.

The goal was a moment of pure chaos within England's defense. A long ball looped over a poorly-positioned Djed Spence, allowing the DR Congo striker to jink in and slam a low shot past Pickford at his near post — delivered against the fourth-ranked team in the world, in their first-ever knockout match, inside seven minutes. DR Congo's substitutes poured onto the pitch in wild celebrations.

What followed was 68 minutes of genuine alarm for England supporters. Jude Bellingham had headers saved by an inspired DR Congo goalkeeper. Marcus Rashford had a shot cleared off the line. Harry Kane went down under contact before halftime but the referee waved away penalty claims and VAR declined to intervene. Yoane Wissa then struck the post for DR Congo in the 42nd minute — a moment that would have made the task almost impossible.

Spence, playing as England's third different right-back in four matches, had a difficult afternoon and was replaced at halftime. The second half continued much as the first had ended — England dominant in possession but unable to find a way through, while DR Congo continued to carry a threat on the counter through Wissa.

The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when substitute Anthony Gordon delivered a cross from the right that Kane attacked at the near post, heading England level with a precise, downward finish. Gordon had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, and his energy down the right changed the complexion of the half entirely.

Kane wasn't finished. Eleven minutes later, with England still unsettled and DR Congo refusing to collapse, he produced the game's defining moment — receiving the ball on the edge of the box, creating space for himself against a tiring defender, and unleashing a fierce drive into the roof of the net. England were through. DR Congo were heading home.

The post-match analysis of England's performance was largely critical. Declan Rice left the pitch injured late in proceedings — a fitness concern Tuchel will need to monitor closely ahead of the Azteca. DR Congo can leave the tournament with their heads held high, having pushed the team ranked fourth in the world to the limit on their debut knockout stage appearance.

What's Next

England face co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday, July 6 at 4pm ET at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The stakes, the atmosphere, and the historical weight of the fixture promise a match unlike anything else at this World Cup.