Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to rescue England from a seismic World Cup upset against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, setting up a last-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico that prompted Thomas Tuchel to urge parents: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football.”
Brian Cipenga had given the African side a shock early lead in Atlanta, where an estimated 10,000 England fans had gathered for the midday local time kick-off. It was the first time England had won a World Cup game after conceding the first goal since beating West Germany in the 1966 final.
“Harry Kane’s late double saves England from World Cup upset, setting up a last-16 clash with Mexico at 1am BST.”
The Bayern Munich striker equalised with 15 minutes remaining, then smashed home the winner just before normal time ended. Kane – who now has 13 World Cup goals, extending the record he took from Gary Lineker last week – led post-match celebrations as several players joined supporters in a rendition of Oasis’s Wonderwall.
“We spoke about people having hero moments,” Kane said. “It can be anyone in the team, whether it’s me, a save, a block from the defenders, whoever it is. We have hero moments and for me it was today. You have to stay patient in these games.”
England will now travel to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium – where Diego Maradona scored his ‘Hand of God’ goal against them 40 years ago – for a match that kicks off at 1am on Monday UK time. Tuchel, whose side looked disjointed in the first half, hopes children will be allowed to stay up.
“They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years,” the England head coach said. “Let them watch, there will be a big, big match in four days and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children.”
The victory, however, left Tuchel with familiar questions over his defence and selection, with Declan Rice’s name now thrown into a right-back crisis after a 12-minute cameo. Mexico, unbeaten and yet to concede a goal, await in what the Mirror described as the “Temple of Football” – a fortress where England must also contend with altitude.