England booked their place in the round of 16 after captain Harry Kane scored twice to seal a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo, setting up a high-profile clash with co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The Three Lions were forced to dig deep after DR Congo stunned them with an early lead, putting Gareth Southgate’s side under immediate pressure in a contest that tested England’s composure, patience and tournament credentials.
DR Congo started brightly and showed no fear against one of the competition’s more experienced sides. Their early goal gave them belief and forced England to chase the game much earlier than expected.
England struggled to settle into their rhythm as DR Congo defended with discipline and looked dangerous whenever they broke forward.
But Kane, once again, proved decisive when England needed leadership most. The England captain pulled his side level with a composed finish, restoring control and to calm nerves late on.
The equaliser shifted the momentum. England began to move the ball with more authority, pressing higher and forcing DR Congo into deeper defensive positions.
Kane then completed the turnaround with his second goal of the match, showing the sharpness and experience that have made him central to England’s hopes on the global stage.
The goal proved enough to send England through, though DR Congo continued to battle until the final whistle. Their performance, particularly in the first half, showed the growing competitiveness of African teams at the tournament.
“We had to show character today,” Kane said after the match. “DR Congo made it very difficult for us, but the important thing is that we found a way to win.”
England will now turn their attention to a major round of 16 meeting with Mexico, a fixture expected to draw huge attention given Mexico’s status as co-hosts and the setting at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
The venue, one of football’s most famous stadiums, will provide a demanding atmosphere for England, who will need to improve on their slow start against DR Congo if they are to progress further.
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