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 0-1 DR Congo
62 mins: There is DR Congo’s chance to counter and a fierce drive from Mbuku looks destined for the top corner before it’s flicked over off the head of Anderson.
I’m surprised to see Mbuku now coming off, he’s been a real thorn in England’s side.
Meschak Elia is on.
England 0-1 DR Congo
60 mins: Tuchel is furious now on the touchline as he barks at his players.
He’s changed both wingers on the hour - Saka and Gordon replace Madueke and Rashford.
Can that spark England into life?
England 0-1 DR Congo
59 mins: Kane tries to set England away, but his ball through is deflected and makes its way to Mpasi.
At the other end, Anderson makes an important defensive intervention as Cipenga causes more trouble inside the box.
Gordon coming on for England
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Atlanta Stadium
After Rashford's cross flew over, Tuchel immediately told Anthony Barry to get Anthony Gordon ready to come on.
Seems he's seen enough from England's left winger.
England 0-1 DR Congo
56 mins: A ripple of boos from the frustrated England fans after that wasteful ball from Rashford.
Tuchel must be thinking about changes here with the hour mark approaching.
DR Congo are currently content to sit back deep on their lead, waiting for the chance to spring forward on the counter.
England 0-1 DR Congo
54 mins: The BBC coverage cut out altogether there, but replays show a deflected cross from Bellingham that Mpasi did brilliantly to shift his body weight late to the right before palming away with one strong hand.
The DR Congo goalkeeper has been so impressive so far today.
Rashford now gets up to head well wide.
Rashford must do better
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Atlanta Stadium
A huge chance squandered by Rashford, and he knows it. Good run from the left winger, twisting away from Mbemba, but side netting is a poor effort from the resulting shot.
England 0-1 DR Congo
51 mins: Counter-attacks and flying challenges all over the place as Rashford then drills a terrible low effort into the side netting for England.
He should have done so much better there.
England 0-1 DR Congo
49 mins: England quickly settle as O’Reilly earns a corner and Masuaku makes a crucial defensive flick away from Bellingham.
Kane and Mbemba tussle in the box, leading to a warning from the referee.
Second half underway
Tuchel has resisted the urge to make any half-time substitutions in Atlanta, but it surely won’t be long if this scoreline doesn’t change quickly.
Back underway - with DR Congo straight on to the attack and providing a dangerous pull-back from the byline that England can clear.
England are 45 minutes away from arguably the worst defeat in their history - worse than Iceland in 2016 and the USA in 1950 - and a shock World Cup exit in the round of 32.
A massive, massive half ahead.
What a story this would be for the DR Congo.