Kane Strikes Twice: England Stuns DR Congo in World Cup Thriller

In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match, England secured their progression to the Round of 16 by defeating DR Congo 2-1. The match took an unexpected turn early on when DR Congo's Brian Cipenga scored in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a quick break and a defensive lapse. Despite England controlling possession, DR Congo's disciplined defense and aggressive pressing stifled their attacking efforts throughout the first half, leading to a surprising halftime lead for the tournament debutants.

England manager Thomas Tuchel introduced attacking substitutions in the second half, bringing on Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka to increase pressure. These changes paid dividends as captain Harry Kane scored twice in the latter stages of the match. Kane first equalized in the 75th minute and then netted the winning goal in the 86th minute, completing his brace. This late surge propelled England to a crucial victory, earning them a spot in the next round where they are scheduled to play Mexico.