00:00England avoided one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Captain Harry Kane scored twice in
00:06the final 15 minutes to inspire a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Drive Congo in the round of 32.
00:13Thomas Tuchel's side struggled for most of the contest and trailed after an early shock goal, but Kane once again
00:20proved why he remains England's biggest match winner.
00:23DR Congo produced a fearless display and came within touching distance of a famous victory before England's experience finally made
00:31the difference.
00:32The thrilling contest has now set up a round of 16 clash between England and Mexico.
00:38The African side made a dream start in Atlanta.
00:41Just seven minutes into the match, Brian Cepanga stunned England by finishing from close range after a dangerous move caught
00:48the English defense completely off guard.
00:51The early goal gave DR Congo enormous confidence as they continued to press aggressively and frustrate England.
00:58Their defenders stayed compact while goalkeeper Lionel Mpesai delivered an outstanding performance with several important saves to deny Marcus Rashford,
01:07Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
01:09Despite dominating possession, England looked nervous and lacked creativity throughout the first half.
01:15Jude Bellingham received a yellow card, while Harry Kane even had a penalty appeal waved away after the referee ruled
01:22there was no foul.
01:24Thomas Tuchel's team repeatedly attacked through Rashford and Madouk, but DR Congo's disciplined defense refused to crack.
01:31Pesai's brilliant goalkeeping kept England frustrated as the underdogs entered halftime with a deserved 1-0 lead.
01:38Knowing his side needed fresh energy, Tuchel introduced Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka during the second half.
01:46The substitutions completely changed England's attacking intensity.
01:50England increased the pressure with wave after wave of attacks, forcing DR Congo deeper into their own half.
01:57Gordon immediately added pace and directness on the left wing, creating problems that had been missing earlier in the game.
02:03England's breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute.
02:07Anthony Gordon floated an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Harry Kane rose highest to power a header beyond
02:14Lionel Mpesai and level the score.
02:16With momentum now fully on England's side, Kane struck again in the 86th minute.
02:22After collecting the ball near the edge of the area, the England captain skipped past defenders before firing a superb
02:29strike into the top corner,
02:31completing a remarkable comeback and sending England into the round of 16.
02:35Although eliminated, DR Congo won plenty of admiration for their fearless performance.
02:41The African nation led one of the tournament favorites for more than an hour and defended courageously before finally being
02:47undone by Kane's brilliance.
02:50Coach Sebastian De Sabra praised his players after the match, saying they had shown the world the progress of Congolese
02:56football.
02:56He described the tournament as a proud moment for the country despite the heartbreaking defeat.
03:02The victory keeps England's World Cup dream alive, but the performance exposed several weaknesses that Thomas Tuchel will need to
03:09address quickly.
03:10England now face co-hosts Mexico in the round of 16, a fixture expected to be far more demanding.
03:16Tuchel admitted he was proud of his team's fighting spirit and even encouraged parents back home to let children stay
03:23awake to watch the upcoming knockout clash,
03:25believing it will be another memorable World Cup night.
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