Few expected England to face serious resistance from DR Congo in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash. Most pre-match predictions centred on the size of the victory rather than the possibility of an upset. Instead, Thomas Tuchel's side found themselves on the brink of a humiliating exit before the brilliance of Harry Kane turned the contest around.

The African side stunned the favourites just seven minutes into the match. Left unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, Sipenga controlled the ball superbly before drilling a precise finish into the bottom corner, leaving the England goalkeeper with no chance.

England struggled to respond. In a remarkable statistic for one of the tournament favourites, their first attempt on goal did not arrive until the 29th minute. Jude Bellingham met a dangerous delivery from Declan Rice with a powerful header, but Dimitry Bertaud Mpasi reacted brilliantly to keep the lead intact.

Just before half-time, DR Congo came within inches of doubling their advantage. Following a dangerous low cross from Yoane Wissa, the finish from close range struck the post, offering England a lifeline they desperately needed.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Mpasi produced two outstanding saves to preserve his team's advantage. He first denied Bellingham from point-blank range before producing another impressive stop to keep out Kane's powerful first-time effort after a corner from Rice.

The turning point arrived after Anthony Gordon replaced Marcus Rashford. The substitution transformed England's attack, with Gordon immediately injecting pace, creativity and urgency into the final third.

In the 75th minute, Gordon delivered a pinpoint cross that Harry Kane converted with a clinical header, beating his marker to score his fourth goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ten minutes later, Mpasi once again frustrated Bellingham, but the rebound fell kindly to Gordon. The winger kept his composure, slipped the ball into Kane's path, and England's captain shifted past his defender before smashing an unstoppable right-footed strike into the roof of the net.

England eventually secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory, avoiding one of the biggest shocks of the FIFA World Cup 2026. After surviving a major scare against DR Congo, Tuchel's team now turns its attention to an intriguing Round of 16 showdown with Mexico.

World Cup 2026

England - DR Congo 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Cipenga Brian, 7 (0:1); Kane, 75 (1:1); Kane, 86 (2:1)

England: Pickford; Konsa; Guehi; Spence D. (Eze, 70); Rice (Stones, 91); Anderson E.; Madueke (Saka B., 61); Rashford (Gordon A., 61); O'Reilly; Bellingham; Kane
Substitution: Saka B. (from 61); Gordon A. (from 61); Eze (from 70); Stones (from 91)
Bench: Henderson D.; Trafford; Burn; Chalobah; James R.; Quansah; Henderson; Mainoo; Watkins; Rogers M.; Toney I.
Yellow Cards: Bellingham 19

DR Congo: Mpasi; Tuanzebe; Mbemba; Masuaku (Kayembe E., 89); Mukau (Kayembe J., 76); Sadiki; Wan-Bissaka; Moutoussamy; Mbuku (Elia, 64); Cipenga Brian (Bongonda, 76); Wissa Y. (Mayele, 89)
Substitution: Elia (from 64); Kayembe J. (from 76); Bongonda (from 76); Kayembe E. (from 89); Mayele (from 89)
Bench: Fayulu; Epolo; Kalulu; Kapuadi; Batubinsika; Kakuta; Tshibola; Pickel; Bakambu; Banza
Yellow Cards: Sadiki 27