England survived a major scare as they came from behind to beat Congo DR and reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Atlanta.

Thomas Tuchel’s team trailed from the seventh minute, when Brian Cipenga opened the scoring, until the 75th minute when Harry Kane equalised, with the England skipper then blasting a brilliant winner in a dramatic turnaround. England's reward is a Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium on Sunday, 5 July.

England had lost none of their previous nine World Cup meetings with African opposition and they kept that record intact in Atlanta but only just.

Congo had never played a World Cup knockout game before yet they made a dream start after seven minutes with Cipenga’s first-ever international goal. A crossfield ball from the right was flicked on by Chancel Mbemba to Cipenga who was completely free on the left side of the box to fire in a low shot that beat Jordan Pickford at his near post.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 01: Brian Cipenga #9 of Congo DR celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

England took time to respond before creating several clear chances. Congo DR goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi saved superbly from two Jude Bellingham headers. In between, Noni Madueke’s run into the box brought a shooting chance for Rashford at the far post only for Aaron Wan Bissaka to clear off the line. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Mbasi blocked Kane’s close-range volley following a corner.

At the other end, Congo might have snatched a second goal when Yoane Wissa turned Wan Bissaka’s low centre against the post.

It took Tuchel’s changes of his wingers to spark the fightback, substitute Anthony Gordon crossing for Kane to head his 12th World Cup finals goal. Number 13 would certainly be lucky for England as Kane turned away from his marker and unleashed an unstoppable shot inside the near post. (FIFA, but headline rejigged)

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