England secured a late 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in their group stage match, with captain Harry Kane scoring both goals after the team fell behind early. The game took place on Thursday evening, with DR Congo’s Brian Cipenga opening the scoring in the seventh minute. England, trailing for much of the match, relied on Kane’s two decisive strikes to claim the win.
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised Kane’s performance, describing the striker as a "saviour" and suggesting he is continuing to improve. Tuchel compared Kane and other elite forwards such as Kylian Mbappe to “sharks” that persistently pressure defenses before scoring. The German coach also dismissed narratives suggesting that England’s players are weighed down by expectations when wearing the national team’s white kit, noting that he saw no sign of such psychological pressure in Thursday’s contest.
Tuchel urged his squad to maintain resilience and persistence throughout the match. “We have to keep on knocking, knocking, knocking,” he said, emphasizing belief and continued effort as key to the team’s approach.
The match featured a tense start, with DR Congo defending resolutely and England’s defense vulnerable at times. Early in the second half, an incident involving Kane sparked controversy when a potential penalty call was not awarded after a challenge by DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi. Referee Adham Makhadmeh ruled that Kane had simulated contact, a decision which left the England captain visibly surprised. Video assistant referees did not intervene, in line with the tournament’s policy of upholding on-field decisions unless clear errors were evident.
England gradually increased pressure, with James Maddison and Marcus Rashford contributing to several attacking moves. Substitute Anthony Gordon influenced the game late, providing the assist for Kane’s first goal with a deft cross. Kane’s expertly timed header gave England a 1-1 draw heading into the final moments. As DR Congo’s defensive energy waned, Kane secured the winner five minutes from time with a powerful finish after receiving the ball from Gordon following a save by Mpasi.
Looking ahead, Tuchel acknowledged that England face a challenging fixture in their next match against Mexico, which will be played at high altitude in the Azteca Stadium. He highlighted Mexico’s significant physical advantage due to the altitude, which is difficult to adapt to quickly, but expressed confidence that his team is prepared to meet the challenge.
Kane expressed satisfaction with his contribution, calling his decisive moments “amazing” and crediting the team’s collective effort. Tuchel also encouraged families to support England’s upcoming match, humorously advising parents to let children stay up late to watch the game despite a 1 a.m. UK kickoff.
England’s win keeps their hopes alive as they progress in the tournament, demonstrating resilience against a determined DR Congo side that provided a stern test. The victory serves as a testament to Kane’s leadership and the team’s capacity to fight back under pressure.