Harry Kane was England’s hero yet again as the Three Lions just about secured progress into the World Cup round of 16. England were facing total humiliation as they trailed DR Congo 1-0 with just 15 minutes remaining of Wednesday’s tense last-32 tie in Atlanta, courtesy of an early strike from Brian Cipenga. The favourites started dreadfully and looked abject in defence, before stepping things up after the first-half hydration break and finding DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi in inspired form as he repeatedly thwarted Jude Bellingham in particular.
Yoane Wissa hit the post in a massive reprieve for England and Kane was then controversially denied a penalty for Mpasi’s risky challenge on the stroke of half-time. Thomas Tuchel was visibly furious as his side laboured again after the break, only for Kane to rescue them by heading in the equaliser from substitute Anthony Gordon’s cross. All the momentum was suddenly with England and the turnaround was completed four minutes from time when Gordon again found Kane, who made space inside the box and rifled his second goal into the roof of the net.
There was a last-gasp scare for England as Yoane Wissa sent a free-kick fizzing over Jordan Pickford’s crossbar, but they held on to secure a daunting last-16 showdown with co-hosts Mexico at their high-altitude Estadio Azteca fortress on Sunday night. Follow England vs DR Congo reaction live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s England correspondent Dom Smith at Atlanta Stadium.
England vs DR Congo highlights
Live updates
England 1-1 DR Congo
84 mins: Too much pace on that Gordon cross and Anderson can’t meet it.
DR Congo are starting to have success now on the counter again as Pickford makes a comfortable save from substitute Elia.
England can’t get too carried away trying to win this in normal time...
England 1-1 DR Congo
81 mins: DR Congo initially looked deflated by that equaliser, but they are pushing forward now and not merely content to sit back and try and force extra time.
They have sent on Watford’s Kayembe and Bongonda for Mukau and Cipenga.
England 1-1 DR Congo
79 mins: Aside from a brief foray forward by DR Congo, the momentum is all with England now as Anderson lands a shot on the roof of the net.
O’Reilly can’t keep track of the ball inside the box and another good chance is lost.
Mpasi should have saved it
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Atlanta Stadium
And the irony in all of it is that Mpasi should save the header.
It's close enough to him that he should palm it clear.
England are level. Their World Cup campaign is in a far less disastrous spot now.
GOAL! England 1-1 DR Congo | Harry Kane 75'
75 mins: THERE’S THE EQUALISER AND WHO ELSE?!
Brilliant movement from Kane to ditch his marker and head Gordon’s pinpoint cross in off the hand of the despairing Mpasi.
A 12th World Cup finals goal brings him level with the great Pele.
Can England find a winner now in normal time?!
England 0-1 DR Congo
72 mins: Glimmers of hope for England as Wan-Bissaka makes a vital header to stop Gordon connecting with a cross to the back post.
The wastefulness from set-pieces continues, however.
England 0-1 DR Congo
70 mins: Tuchel has sent on Eze for Spence.
He will go into midfield, with Rice to right-back.
An interesting call from Tuchel.
That will go down well if England lose...
England facing World Cup humiliation
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Atlanta Stadium
It's getting pretty serious now for England.
They need to find something very big here, very soon.
If they don't, they are facing one of the nation's most humiliating exits in major tournament history.
England 0-1 DR Congo
67 mins: Tuchel is unsurprisingly very, very animated as he shouts instructions at his players during the hydration break, trying to elicit some sort of reaction.
England are less than 25 minutes away from utter World Cup embarrassment.
England 0-1 DR Congo
65 mins: O’Reilly clearly blocks off Wissa as DR Congo look to stream forward again.
It’s gone very, very flat and worryingly passive from England again.
Once more, they desperately need this hydration break.