Harry Kane hauled England back from the brink of humiliation on Wednesday, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to snatch a 2-1 win over DR Congo and send the Three Lions into the World Cup last 16. Now they must conquer the Azteca.
Kane’s double – his 71st and 72nd goals for England – spared a side that had fallen behind to Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute strike and looked set for their greatest embarrassment since Iceland in 2016. The captain’s late intervention, on the day he drew level with Sir Bobby Moore and Billy Wright in games started as England captain, ensured a trip to Mexico City to face the tournament co-hosts at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Monday, 6 July (01:00 BST, live on BBC).
“England advance after Kane's brace against DR Congo; next face co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca.”
Mexico have been formidable on home soil: the Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, a factor that can cause shortness of breath and fatigue for unacclimatised players. The co-hosts have won all four World Cup matches so far, scoring eight goals and conceding none. They have not lost a competitive fixture since November 2024 – a run of 13 unbeaten games – and are unbeaten in 10 World Cup appearances at the Azteca, with 70 wins from 89 competitive games there. Ranked ninth in the world, they produced a high-energy first half against Ecuador in the last 32, establishing a two-goal lead inside 30 minutes.
England, who had returned to their Kansas training camp before the DR Congo match, where players described it as “feeling like home”, will need to improve on a performance that saw them reliant on Kane. DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was impenetrable in the first half, and Yoane Wissa missed a gilt-edged chance from close range. A potential penalty for Kane before the break was not reviewed after VAR briefly lost connection.
Should England overcome Mexico, they face either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami. Brazil topped Group C but needed an injury-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli to beat Japan in the last 32. Norway, making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, have Erling Haaland – who has scored five goals in three games – after he netted a late winner against Ivory Coast. The path to the final is clear, but first England must pass the sternest test of all: the Azteca, where altitude and a relentless Mexican side await.