A peak audience of 16.3 million people watched England's dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo in the World Cup last 16 on Wednesday, the most watched moment on the BBC this year. The 17:00 BST kick-off averaged 14 million viewers on BBC TV, with an additional 10.4 million streams on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
England were a goal down within seven minutes after Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead, and they struggled to find a way back before a hydration break midway through the first half. The three-minute stoppage, used in every game of the tournament regardless of weather, allowed head coach Thomas Tuchel to give tactical instructions—a break that former England striker Alan Shearer had previously labelled “nonsense” and booed by fans.
“16.3m peak viewers watched England's last-16 World Cup win over DR Congo, with Kane scoring twice.”
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer changed his tune. “In the first 25 minutes, everywhere was poor, they came out slow, looked lethargic, tired,” he said. “And as much as we criticised the hydration breaks, it worked perfectly for England because we would’ve been in trouble if that hadn’t happened. He was able to settle everyone down, get his point across.” Shearer noted England had no shots on target in the first 20-25 minutes.
England improved after the break, and captain Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes—equalising in the 75th and netting the winner in the 86th—to spare his side’s blushes and book a place in the last 16 against Mexico.
The match will be England’s first overnight game of the tournament, kicking off at 01:00 BST on Monday at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, live on BBC One, radio and online. It presents a dilemma for young fans on a school night. Tuchel, asked about it after the win, said: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch. There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”
The live coverage page was viewed more than 20 million times globally, including 14 million in the UK, making it the biggest day on the BBC Sport website and app since the last World Cup. BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski called the figures “extraordinary” and said the BBC is “the place the nation comes together for the biggest sporting moments.”