2 hours ago 
Harry Kane scored doubly successful the last 15 minutes arsenic England rallied from an aboriginal shortage to decision the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 connected Wednesday astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium successful Atlanta, securing a spot successful the FIFA World Cup circular of 16 aft surviving 1 of its toughest tests of the tournament.
The Congolese side, playing successful its first-ever World Cup knockout signifier match, stunned the favorites early erstwhile winger Brian Cipenga capitalized connected an opening successful the seventh minute. Cipenga controlled a transverse from Chancel Mbemba connected the near broadside of the punishment country and drove a debased right-footed effort past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford astatine the adjacent post. DR Congo astir doubled its vantage earlier the intermission, but guardant Yoane Wissa saw his close-range effort bounce disconnected the woodwork.
England’s tactical adjustments aft the interruption proved decisive, peculiarly the inclusion of substitute Anthony Gordon, who provided some assists for the turnaround. The equalizer came successful the 75th infinitesimal erstwhile Gordon floated a transverse from the near wing, allowing Kane to shingle disconnected his marker and nonstop a header past Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
With other clip approaching, Kane struck again successful the 86th infinitesimal to seal the victory. Receiving a walk from Gordon astatine the borderline of the punishment box, the skipper pivoted and unleashed a powerful, rising changeable into the top-right country of the net. Following the last whistle, England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed immense alleviation during his post-match comments to the BBC, noting that “the absorption and content was 1 of a benignant … we recovered a mode to triumph … it was good deserved”.
The effect preserves England’s historically unbeaten grounds against African absorption astatine the World Cup. Moving forward, the squad volition question to Mexico City to look co-host Mexico successful a circular of 16 matchup scheduled for Sunday astatine the Azteca Stadium.
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English (US)·