For 68 minutes in Atlanta, it looked like England were about to suffer a humiliation worse than Iceland. Brian Cipenga had given the Democratic Republic of Congo a seventh-minute lead, powering in a strike from acres of space at the back post that Jordan Pickford should have done better with. England were rattled: players struggled to control the ball, Jude Bellingham needed calming down by a teammate, and the right side – with Djed Spence and Noni Madueke exposed – became a huge problem.
Then Harry Kane took over. The equaliser came from a substitute’s cross: Anthony Gordon clipped the ball across, and Kane rose highest to hammer a header past Lionel Mpasi, who should have done better. Minutes later, Kane struck again – a stunning winner that justified exactly why Thomas Tuchel’s entire team is built around him. Declan Rice, speaking after the game, said: “Harry Kane is ridiculous. 72 goals this season, that’s just not normal. He’s a proper leader, he’s a captain.”
“Harry Kane scores twice late on to rescue England from defeat against DR Congo, setting up a last-16 tie with Mexico.”
Tuchel had acted decisively, making proactive substitutions that turned the game. Eberechi Eze’s introduction gave England impetus, and Declan Rice was moved to right-back – a sign of the defensive disarray that saw Wayne Rooney before the match warn: “The minute Tino Livramento got injured, Thomas Tuchel should have been on the phone to Kyle Walker. Walker is still more than good enough. That could really cost us.”
But for all Kane’s heroics, England’s defence remains a major concern. Cipenga’s goal came from a situation where Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence were all pulled across, with Madueke not tracking. The back four looked shaky throughout, and only a merciful post denied Yoane Wissa from making it worse.
England now face co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca at 1am UK time on Monday. The winner will face either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals. After a display that was “entirely unworthy” of a team with trophy ambitions, Kane has given his side another chance – but there are mounting concerns ahead of a Mexican football culture that is absolutely baying for this home game of all home games.