Harry Kane scored twice in the second half as England came from behind to beat Congo 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and move from the round of 32 into the World Cup round of 16.
The result sent England on to Mexico City for a match against co-host Mexico, keeping Thomas Tuchel’s side alive after Brian Cipenga had given Congo a seventh-minute lead with a low finish past Jordan Pickford at the near post.
Kane Turns Match After 75th Minute
Kane equalized in the 75th minute after Substitute Anthony Gordon crossed from the left. Lionel Mpasi got a hand to Kane’s header, but the ball still found the bottom corner.
Eleven minutes later, Kane put England ahead by driving a shot into the top corner. The goals were his fourth and fifth of the tournament, extended his England tournament record to 13 and lifted his national-team total to 84.
Congo had chances to make the upset heavier before England’s comeback. Yoane Wissa hit the post in the first half, while Mpasi denied Kane late in the half and was involved in a collision with him in the box before referee Adham Makhadmeh waved away England’s penalty appeals.
England Head To Azteca Stadium
England’s next match will be at Azteca Stadium, where Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal for Argentina helped eliminate England from the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals.
The comeback was only England’s second World Cup win after conceding first. The other came in the 1966 final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium, still England’s only major soccer title.
Tuchel praised England’s belief and focus, saying the team did not accept defeat as an outcome. Kane said England had to keep pushing for its moment and described the performance as its best attacking game of the tournament.
Sébastien Desabre said Congo believed it could advance, but two late chances were enough for one of the world’s best players to decide the match. The 46th-ranked team had already made history at this World Cup with its first goal, point and win, 52 years after appearing as Zaire at the 1974 tournament in West Germany.
England had won Group L with two wins and a draw, but its performances had drawn a mixed response. With Germany and the Netherlands already eliminated early, Congo’s push gave England another test before Kane’s late goals kept Tuchel’s team on course.