England overcame a huge scare against the Democratic Republic of the Congo to win 2-1 and advance to the last 16 against co-hosts Mexico.
Harry Kane saved England from a World Cup shock with two late goals as they beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and booked their place in the last 16.
Thomas Tuchel’s side, aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major, suffered England’s worst ever World Cup exit on Wednesday, as their talismanic captain helped them avoid humiliation after Brian Shipenga’s early goal put the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead.
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But the Three Lions will need to improve ahead of the daunting task of facing co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16 on Sunday.
Already England’s all-time leading scorer in this competition, Kane has scored 13 World Cup goals, increasing his tally to five this year to stay in contention for the star-studded Golden Boot.
The defeat ended the Democratic Republic of Congo’s fairytale run back to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
Until a few weeks ago, Leopards had never won a point or scored a goal in a World Cup, but one of the favorites to win the tournament was on the verge of elimination.
Tuchel made two changes from the win against Panama, with Declan Rice returning in midfield and Jed Spence joining at right-back, with Reece James and Jarrell Quansah absent due to injury.
The German manager’s decision not to opt for more specialist right-back cover in his 26-man squad will come under further scrutiny after the Democratic Republic of Congo took the lead in the wings.
As the ball fell to Shipenga, Spence was caught under Prime Mbemba’s cross. The Almeria winger’s shot was low and strong, but Jordan Pickford should have stopped it at his near post.
The majority of the 70,000-strong crowd decked out in England’s red and white was silent, with Tuchel’s players visibly shaken.
Jude Bellingham was shown a yellow card for Ranji and had a heated exchange with his coach during a water break midway through the second half.
The stoppage in play at least gave Tuchel a chance to restore order.
Bellingham took a strong header from Rice’s cross, finishing it off past Democratic Republic of Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi.
Moments later, Marcus Rashford’s powerful shot was stopped by London-born Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the line after Noni Maduke’s jinking run opened up the Democratic Republic of Congo’s defense.
However, things could have been even worse for England after the break.
Yohan Ouissa’s three goals in the group stage saw his country reach the World Cup finals for the first time, and the Newcastle striker had a golden chance to double the Democratic Republic of Congo’s lead, but his shot from close range hit the outside of the post.
Kane, on the other hand, was furious when he went down to round Mpathi, but the referee refused to point to the spot.
Le Havre stopper Mpathi’s exciting afternoon continued as he darted to his right to evade Bellingham’s bullet header and deny Kane from a corner kick in the final action of the first half.
After a bright start to the second period, England were starting to run out of ideas until Tuchel brought an attacking weapon off the bench.
Tuchel brought on Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze in search of an equaliser.
Then, with 15 minutes remaining, Kane finally found a way to beat Mpathi with a downward header, and it was Barcelona new signing Gordon who supplied the cross.
Gordon also provided the assist for the winning goal in the 86th minute, but Kane scored his 84th international goal with a powerful drive into the net.
Tuchel told reporters his team “continued to believe” that they could secure a deserved victory.
“We have to have that mindset. If it gets difficult, don’t lose patience and don’t lose faith,” he said.
“(Mpathi’s) save was unbelievable but it was a credit to the mindset shown by the (England) players.”
Kane said DR Congo are a tough team and singled out Mpathi, who is “incredible”, in praise.
“You have to be patient in games like this. The last few games have been very similar. In knockout football, the pressure is higher and the stakes are higher,” he said.
“It was probably the best game of the tournament so far. This and the next game will be difficult. (Next) we play away against Mexico. We are in the part of the tournament where we have to get a result.”
