New Delhi: Harry Kane scored twice to help England come from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 and secure a spot in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, July 01. Kane bagged a brace inside eleven minutes, including an 86th-minute stunner to send England through after DR Congo took a deserved lead and dominated the proceedings in the first half of the Round of 32 clash.

England were dreadful in the first half and seemed headed towards a humiliating defeat after DR Congo resiliently defended their 1-0 lead, which came through Brian Cipenga in the seventh minute. However, Kane’s late rescue act saved England, helping them reach the last 16, where they are set to take on co-hosts Mexico at their Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Monday, 6 July.

Cipenga scored the first goal of the game in the seventh minute to give DR Congo the lead. The winger latched on to an assist from captain and defender Chancel Mbemba and dispatched the ball into the back of the net to stun England early in the knockout clash. England had a spell of attacks in search of the equaliser, but were kept out by DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi, who enjoyed a brilliant game despite conceding two goals inside 11 minutes in the end.

DR Congo had a chance to double their lead at the stroke of halftime when Yoane Wissa had a clear chance. However, he ended up hitting the post to give England a lifeline in the contest. Kane helped England stage a comeback with a masterclass in the second half. He headed home from Anthony Gordon’s assist to help England equalise in the 75th minute.

Kane then produced a stunner in the 86th minute to grab the winner for the Three Lions. He got on the end of a sumptuous pass from Gordon and beat the DR Congo defenders to blast a powerful shot past the keeper. England held on to the 2-1 lead for the rest of the game to book a spot in the last 16 of the tournament, where they will be up against a spirited Mexico.

🚨🌎 HARRY KANE GIVES ENGLAND THE LEAD IN THE 86TH MINUTE! WHAT A GOAL! 🤯🤯

England 2-1 DR Congo.pic.twitter.com/4gzzKEFHgK

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) July 1, 2026

Harry Kane extended his goal tally to 5 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with his double against DR Congo on Thursday. The England captain is now the joint second-highest goalscorer in the tournament alongside Norway’s Erling Haaland. Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe are leading the goalscoring charts in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with six goals each.