England qualified for the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup after beating DR Congo 2-1 in the last 16 of the competition. Man-of-the-match Harry Kane scored a brace to ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side qualified to face Mexico in the next round.
So far, Paraguay, France, Canada, Morocco, Brazil, Norway, Mexico and England have secured their place in the last 16 of the tournament.
DR Congo opened the scoring, England closed the table
England started the match in Atlanta on the offensive, but DR Congo struck in the 7th minute. After a cross from Mbemba, Cipenga took over on the left and scored with a shot in the short corner.
The English then dominated the game and had several important chances. In the 30th minute, Bellingham came close to equalizing with a header, but Mpasi-Nzau made an excellent save. Five minutes later, Rashford also missed a huge chance after his shot was cleared off the goal line.
Before the break, Wissa hit the bar for DR Congo and England called for a penalty in a duel between Kane and Mpasi, but the referee let play continue. In the extra time of the first half, Kane and Bellingham tried to restore the tie, but the Congolese goalkeeper made decisive interventions.
England also started the second half on the attack
Rashford missed another important opportunity in the 51st minute. Although they controlled possession, Tuchel’s side created fewer chances than in the first half.
The English pressure intensified after the 70th minute, and the equalizer came after a cross sent by Gordon. Harry Kane won the aerial duel and scored, despite the intervention of the Congolese goalkeeper.
In the 86th minute, the same Kane made the double after an excellent individual action, finished with a strong shot in the short corner. The goal brought peace to the England camp and was the striker’s 12th at a finals tournament.
