Prince William joked it was “never in doubt” as England pulled off a late comeback to make it through to the last 16 of the World Cup. The 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia came after the African side took a shock lead when Brian Cipenga scored after seven minutes.
It took until the 75th minute before skipper Harry Kane pulled England level with a header before firing home a winner in the 86th minute to the relief and delight of screaming fans back home.
Royal and political reactions
William, patron of the Football Association, posted a tongue-in-cheek tribute to England’s matchwinner, writing on Instagram along with a winking emoji: “Never in doubt… well done England! Onto the next! W.”
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled he believed England’s win against the Democratic Republic of Congo could lead to the team winning the World Cup. “It might actually be coming home,” the Prime Minister wrote on social media site X.
After the win, as the fans in the stadium again serenaded the squad with a rendition of the Oasis hit, Wonderwall, the band’s front man, Liam Gallagher, posted: “Cmon England cmon Wonderwall”.
Next match and fan reactions
The victory sends England into a last-16 tie on Sunday against co-hosts Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium, one of world football’s most famous venues.
Rush hour in major cities was earlier than usual as supporters headed home from work early to watch the match, while mobile phone usage was up, suggesting others were streaming it on their commute.
Figures from location technology company TomTom indicate traffic in London and Birmingham was heavier than usual before the match as people rushed home to watch the 5pm kick-off, while the roads were unusually quiet during the game. In London, the level of congestion at 4pm on Wednesday was 76%, compared with 73% at the same time on Tuesday, and by 6pm – mid-way through the match – it fell to 57%, down from 72% a day earlier. In Birmingham, the figure at 4pm on Wednesday was 125%, compared with 100% on Tuesday, and it was just 53% at 6pm, down from 90% 24 hours earlier.
EE said mobile network data for the match showed an all-time record peak in traffic, which was 42% higher than the same time on an average Wednesday. Virgin Media said: “The first half was the biggest spike on our mobile network ever – 19% more than the previous record.”
Fan experiences in Atlanta
England fans were glad of the comfort of air-conditioning at the Atlanta Stadium. Supporter Dave Simmons, of Penrith, Cumbria, said he was “shot to pieces” after the nervy win. He told the Press Association: “It’s the normal, stressful England situation isn’t it? Kane is fantastic in the box but you’ve got to get him in the box. We were struggling for 60-odd minutes there and we got a break. The keeper made four wonderful saves but he screwed it up for the equaliser. Then, what a finish. Come on Harry Kane.”
Asked if he was nervous at half time when England were 1-0 down, Mr Simmons said: “A few nerves? I’m shot to pieces. But that’s what you get with England, my voice is nearly gone. We’ve only got to do it three or four more times and then we’ve won the World Cup.”
Also in Atlanta for the match, Spencer Dalby, 21, of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, told PA: “What annoys me about England is it takes so much time to tap into the belief. Once we tap into the belief and the passion and the positive attitude – look at us, we’re unstoppable. But you’ve seen it in the first and second game – we’re stale, we sit back. Then, all of a sudden, we turn our engine on and look at us now, we’re going all the way – honestly – and I’m going all the way as well. My finances are in ruin – my grandma will be getting a phone call in a minute – ‘can I borrow £4,000 for a World Cup final ticket?’”
After watching the game in Atlanta, Tony Woods, from St Helens, Merseyside, believes England will beat Mexico but admitted he is “worried” after seeing them play this week. He told the Press Association: “We struggled first half but once Harry got that one (goal), there was only one winner wasn’t there? Do you know what, I watched Mexico last night and was a bit worried. But I just think we’ve got a bit of dog in us and we’ll do it. I wouldn’t say I’m not nervous, but I think we’ll do it 2-1 against Mexico, no problem.”
Watch parties and fan sentiment in England
Back home, many England fans had slipped away from work early to watch the match. By half-time, England fan Stuart Stevens, 36, stood staring at the screen at a Wembley watch party and called England’s defence “shocking”. He said: “That was the best England that we had in a while and they’re playing crap together.”
A big cheer went up inside the Wembley Boxpark when Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon were subbed on early in the second half. As the final whistle went, an Oasis coverband took to the stage to belt out the Oasis anthem.
Barry Hearst, 48, also declared England’s victory was “never in doubt” and credited the much maligned hydration breaks for helping England who “struggled” in the first half. He said: “There was boos from the England fans but I think yeah it definitely helped us.”
