Kane's late brace rescues England in 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo

Harry Kane struck twice in the final quarter of an hour to complete a 2-1 comeback win for England against DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup, securing the Three Lions’ place in the round of 16.

England had been trailing since midfielder Brian Cipenga’s early goal, with DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi producing five saves to keep his side ahead. The deficit stood until the 75th minute, when Kane — England’s all-time World Cup goalscorer — found the net twice to turn the game on its head.

Kane credited a shift in intensity following the first hydration break as the turning point. “It was amazing to be honest. It was a crazy game. First and foremost, (DR Congo’s) a tough team,” the striker said after the final whistle. “Going behind, but I thought that after that first hydration break we upped the level, we looked good. I mean their keeper made some unbelievable saves in that first half.”

The England captain also pointed to the collective mentality that drove the turnaround. “It was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock, and our moments will come. We spoke about people having hero moments — it could be anyone on the team. Whether it’s me, a save from Pickford, a block from the defenders, whoever it is, we have hero moments. And for me, it was a day.”

Kane now has five goals in four games at this tournament and sits in a tight Golden Boot race alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé. His 13 World Cup goals in total make him England’s leading scorer in the competition’s history.

The result keeps alive England’s ambitions of winning a first World Cup title since 1966 — a target that looms large under head coach Thomas Tuchel, who is managing his first World Cup campaign. England’s best recent finish was a semifinal exit at Russia 2018, where they fell 2-1 to Croatia.

Next up for the Three Lions is a round-of-16 tie against Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on July 5.