England were on the brink of humiliation in their World Cup Round of 32 match against DR Congo in Atlanta, but Harry Kane once again proved to be the savior. The captain scored twice in the final 15 minutes to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory, sparing England from their worst-ever defeat at a World Cup.
First Half Struggles
England were ragged, sloppy, and wasteful for most of the afternoon. DR Congo took the lead after Chancel Mbemba's diagonal ball found Brian Cipenga, who exposed England's disorganized defense and fired a low shot past Jordan Pickford at his near post. The England goalkeeper has had a poor tournament so far, and this goal only added to the concerns. Yoane Wissa nearly doubled the lead but hit the post, leaving England in deep trouble.
Despite the pressure, Jude Bellingham was denied three times by DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi, who played the game of his life. Kane was also upended by Mpasi in what appeared to be a clear penalty, but the referee and VAR did not agree, leaving England frustrated.
Second Half Turnaround
Thomas Tuchel made changes, bringing on Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Eberechi Eze, who all played a part in increasing the pressure. With 15 minutes remaining, Declan Rice moved to right back, and England found a new shape and belief. Gordon delivered a cross to the far post, and Kane headed in the equalizer in the 75th minute.
Then, with four minutes left, Bellingham saw a shot saved, the ball was not cleared, and Gordon set up Kane, who ran across goal before slamming home the winner. The turnaround was complete, and the stadium erupted with chants of "It's Coming Home."
Concerns Ahead of Mexico Clash
While the victory was a relief, England's performance raised serious questions. The defense, particularly Djed Spence and the center-back pairing of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, looked vulnerable. Pickford's form remains a worry, and the midfield struggled to control the game. As one observer noted, "If DR Congo can expose their defense like this, just imagine what Mexico can do in the Azteca."
Kane gathered the players for a huddle after the match, urging them to improve. The team will need a significant upgrade to overcome Mexico in Mexico City, where the hosts have an intimidating home record.
Kane's Heroics
Kane's double took his tally to five goals in the tournament, and his leadership was instrumental in the comeback. He was as poor as anyone for most of the match but came good when it mattered most. The win keeps England's dream alive, but they must grow from this scare if they are to progress further.
