With Kane decisive, England turns on DR Congo and qualifies
In a decisive afternoon for Harry Kane, England beat DR Congo 2-1 this Wednesday afternoon (1st), at Atlanta Stadium, in the United States. The victory came in the last moments and the striker's two goals took the English to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Now, the team faces hosts Mexico, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The game takes place on Sunday (5), at 9pm, at the legendary Azteca and the home team is packed. So far, they have not conceded any goals in the competition. Furthermore, the English are in the way of Brazil in a possible quarter-final.
With the two goals, Kane surpassed Pelé's record in World Cups, finding the net 13 times in World Cups. The Congolese, on the other hand, say goodbye to the competition with the best campaign in their history. Wissa emerges as the team's top scorer in the tournament.
Surprise at the beginning and goal from shirt 9
The opening minutes were dominated by England, who tried to escape on the side and put pressure on the Congolese defense with the attackers. However, the surprise of the World Cup started early. Just before the 10th minute of the game, RD Congo opened the scoring with a goal from Cipenga, who came on as a starter replacing Bakambu. The bet paid off.
After a ball reversed from the right to the left of the field, the attacker found the net with a strong shot into the corner of goalkeeper Pickford, who even touched the ball, but was unable to save. There were only two touches of the ball: the control and the hit. A true goal from shirt 9. In celebration, fists in the air and a spin in the air from someone who turned the world upside down.
After the goal, the English took a while to get structured in the match. When they came back under pressure, goalkeeper Mpasi started to shine and make good saves. In one of the most dangerous attacks, it was Wan-Bissaka's turn to clear a ball over the line from Rashford's shot. At the end of the first half, Wissa wasted a great chance and Mpasi performed two other miracles.
Hurricane Harry Kane
England returned with the same initial strategy for the second half: high pressure and healing in the opposing team's area. DR Congo also appeared similar, insisting on controlling blunt attacks and escaping counterattacks.
Saka, Gordon and Eze came off the bench and were chosen by Tuchel to try to change the negative result. However, the one who decided was the hope that was already on the field, number 9 Harry Kane, who tied the game in the 75th minute of the match. The "hurricane" received a cross from the left wing and headed the ball into the ground, as per the manual, and finally beat Mpasi.
In the last minutes of the game, the attacker was once again decisive. Kane won the duel with the defense, turned his body and hit the goal hard. A high ball, which left the DR Congo goalkeeper without reaction. In turn, England is classified.
Today's games
Still this Wednesday (1st) there will be two other clashes for the round of 16 phase of the 2026 World Cup. Belgium and Senegal face each other at 5pm, in Seattle. At night, at 9 pm, it is the United States' turn to seek a place in the round of 16 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Source: CNN