Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
England vs DR Congo second half turned into a Harry Kane rescue mission, as the England captain scored twice to drag Thomas Tuchel’s side from 1-0 down to a tense 2-1 World Cup Round of 32 win in Atlanta.
England had trailed since Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener, but the match changed after the break through pressure, substitutions and Kane’s finishing. The victory sends England through to face Mexico in the Round of 16.
For full first-half context, read England vs DR Congo First Half: Cipenga Stuns England As Missed Chances Pile Up, while official tournament updates are available through the FIFA World Cup 2026 match centre.
Rashford Chances Add To England Tension
England started the second half with more speed, but Marcus Rashford’s final touch kept letting him down. In the 52nd minute, he drove into the box from the left and hit the side netting when England badly needed control.
Two minutes later, Rashford rose to meet Noni Madueke’s cross but headed well over the bar. By the 58th minute, his overhit cross sailed high, leaving him with his head in his hands as frustration grew around England’s attack.
Tuchel Changes The Shape
Tuchel acted in the 61st minute, replacing Rashford and Madueke with Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. That gave England cleaner width, fresher legs and better delivery into the penalty area.
England kept forcing DR Congo deeper. Jude Bellingham carried the ball down the left, Declan Rice’s set pieces created pressure, and Kane kept holding his position between defenders.
Kane Delivers Twice
The equaliser came in the 75th minute when Gordon clipped a cross from the left toward Kane, who guided a header across Lionel Mpasi and into the net. Mpasi got a hand to it, but this time England’s pressure finally broke through.
Then came the phenomenal winner in the 86th minute. Kane collected the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal, moved across the area, swivelled and fired a rising shot into the top-right corner.
The strike was measured at 94 km/h and became the moment that pulled England out of danger. After a messy night, Kane gave England the ruthless edge their attack had been missing.
