England 2-1 DR Congo: Kane 75, 86; Cipenga 7
In the end, DR Congo could not hold England off but what a game this was. Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to drag his side up from behind and avoid an early World Cup exit at the hands of the Leopards.
For much of the afternoon in Atlanta, England looked set for what would have been a deeply painful exit. Brian Cipenga’s early goal gave DR Congo belief, and goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who has had an outstanding tournament, produced a string of typically brilliant saves to frustrate the Three Lions until Kane finally roared.
England dominated possession and created some really chances, but DR Congo were also fairly solid in their 4-5-1 shape and Mpasi’s brilliance ahead until the resistance was finally broken deep in the second half.
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Anthony Gordon was brilliant for England. He changed the momentum after coming off the bench and provided both assists for Kane. Bellingham also enjoyed some good moments, despite a tetchy performance early in the game after DR Congo had scored.
DR Congo relished in their opening lead. Chancel Mbemba delivered a cross from the right and Cipenga was allowed to control the ball unmarked at the far post, before driving a low finish beyond Jordan Pickford at his near post.
The goal unsettled England. Their passing became rushed, their defence looked vulnerable whenever DR Congo attacked, and Bellingham’s frustration boiled over as he picked up an early yellow card following a late tackle.
But Tuchel’s side created chances. Mpasi saved Bellingham’s header before producing another fine stop to keep out Kane’s close-range volley. Rashford thought he had equalised after producing a volley of his own, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to clear his effort off the line.
England also felt they should have been awarded a penalty shortly before the interval, when Mpasi rushed out for the ball and it seemed as though he had tripped Kane. But the referee correctly spotted that the England striker had initiated the contact and made a dive. Tuchel was fuming on the touchline.
DR Congo had some good moments of their own. In particular, Yoane Wissa was disgusted with his luck after turning Wan-Bissaka’s cross goalward only for it to shave the post and bounce out for a goalkick. It was a sick feeling for the Leopards when, with 15 minutes remaining, Gordon floated the ball into the six-yard box and Kane headed past Mpasi, who got a touch but was unable claw the ball away.
It was advantage England now and they soon completed the comeback. Four minutes to the end of normal time, Gordon wove through the heart of DR Congo’s third before finding Kane as the edge of the penalty area. The striker spun away from two defenders before hammering a shot high into the roof of the net. What would England do without him?
