Kane's header rescues England level against DR Congo in World Cup round of 32

Harry Kane headed England level against DR Congo in their FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 tie at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, after Thomas Tuchel’s side had trailed since the seventh minute following Brian Cipenga’s opener.

England went into the match having already watched fellow European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands exit at the same stage, adding weight to what had looked a routine assignment. Instead, Cipenga’s early strike forced a nervy second half, with Tuchel making a series of changes in search of a response.

The England manager had already altered his starting line-up, bringing in Djed Spence, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke in place of Jarell Quansah, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka. As the second half wore on and the equaliser proved elusive, Tuchel withdrew both wide men — Rashford and Madueke — for Anthony Gordon and Saka, while Eberechi Eze also came on for Spence, with Declan Rice shifting to right-back and Bellingham dropping deeper.

It was Gordon’s cross that eventually created the breakthrough, with Kane meeting it to send a header beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Jude Bellingham had been denied three times by Mpasi before the captain’s intervention, with the Congo goalkeeper producing a string of saves to keep his side ahead.

DR Congo also made changes of their own, with Brian Cipenga and Ngal Ayel Mukau replaced by Edo Kayembe and Theo Bongonda, and Sebastien Desabre later calling on Meschak Elia. Congo had shown no intention of sitting on their lead, continuing to press into dangerous areas and threatening on the counter, with Marc Guehi required to make a crucial interception to deny a significant chance.

Tuchel was visibly frustrated throughout, at one point berating Spence for a backwards throw-in near the halfway line. The atmosphere inside Atlanta Stadium grew increasingly tense as England struggled to break down a well-organised Congo side.

The winners of the tie will face co-hosts Mexico in the round of 16.