England’s Harry Kane (9) celebrates after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, on July 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
The finest World Cup stories leave behind both heroes and heartbreak. England survived one of the biggest scares of its campaign on Wednesday night (July 1, 2026), coming from behind to beat a fearless DR Congo 2-1 and book its place in the round of 16.
Yet, even in defeat, the Leopards left Atlanta with their reputation transformed after pushing one of the tournament favourites to the brink.
England vs DR Congo FIFA World Cup match highlights
Against almost every pre-match prediction, it was DR Congo that landed the first blow. A deep cross from the right caught Djed Spence out of position, allowing Brian Cipenga to steal in unmarked at the far post.
The forward took a settling touch before rifling a low finish into the bottom-left corner from a tight angle, beating Jordan Pickford at his near post to send the Congolese supporters into delirium.
Cipenga immortalised the moment with a soaring somersault, ensuring the celebration matched the quality of the finish
England carved out its first clear opening around the half-hour mark. Declan Rice whipped in an inviting cross and Jude Bellingham rose to guide a header towards the top-right corner, only for Lionel Mpasi to produce a stunning one-handed save, arching backward to claw it away.
Five minutes later, Noni Madueke burst to the byline and clipped the ball back for Marcus Rashford, whose close-range effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who once came close to representing England before switching allegiance.
Thomas Tuchel’s words during the hydration break settled England’s nerves, but Mpasi continued to stand like a one-man wall. The goalkeeper denied England time and again, preserving the slender lead with a series of outstanding saves.
DR Congo should have doubled its advantage moments before half-time. Wan-Bissaka curled a teasing low cross to the near post, where Yoane Wissa darted ahead of Ezri Konsa, only to steer his first-time effort against the base of the post.
England escaped and, within seconds, Harry Kane burst into the Congolese box before going down under minimal contact from Mpasi. Referee Adham Makhadmeh waved away the appeal, judging that Kane had exaggerated the fall, and VAR agreed despite England’s furious protests.
As the second half progressed, England kept creating openings but lacked the finish to match its urgency, as Mpasi stood firm to keep Congo’s slender scoreline safe, with Tuchel growing increasingly agitated.
Eventually, though, Congo yielded. Kane drifted away from his marker in the 75th minute to meet Anthony Gordon’s floated cross and guided his header beyond Mpasi, who, after a night of defiance, reacted a fraction too late.
England’s captain then delivered the decisive blow with less than five minutes of regulation time left. He took one touch to shift the ball away from Axel Tuanzebe before releasing a right-footed drive that rippled the roof of the net.
England had survived. And Atlanta, with memories of Three Lions fans reportedly drinking Dallas dry after their tournament opener, could only hope that it had stocked enough kegs for the long night ahead.
Published – July 02, 2026 12:04 am IST
