Harry Kane saved England's skin with a double as the Three Lions beat DR Congo 2-1 in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 encounter. England were staring into the abyss for nearly an hour after a shock start that left the English defence shaking in their boots.
Brian Kibambe Cipenga silenced the England fans early. The DR Congo man struck in the 7th minute to put the African representatives in the lead. For 74 minutes, the Leopard's defense held firm. It was pure chaos. England looked lost, desperate, and completely out of ideas while DRC played the game of their lives.
Then came Harry Kane. The captain decided he had seen enough of the misery. He hammered home two goals to turn the game on its head and send England through to the next round, leaving the Congolese heartbroken.
How did Harry Kane rescue England against DR Congo?
England were trailing for the majority of the match after Brian Kibambe Cipenga's 7th-minute opener. The Three Lions spent over an hour chasing shadows, unable to break down a resilient DRC backline that refused to budge.
Kane's brace finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute and beyond, overturning the deficit to secure a 2-1 victory. It was a classic case of a big player stepping up when the pressure is at its peak. Wamma! The man simply refused to let England crash out in the Round of 32.
DR Congo fought bravely, but you cannot give Harry Kane half a chance at this level. They held the lead for 74 minutes only to be undone by the clinical nature of the England captain.
DR Congo's brave World Cup run ends
Despite the loss, the Congolese side proved they belong on the big stage. Brian Kibambe Cipenga's early goal gave them a dream start and a genuine chance to cause one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
They defended for their lives, but the quality of England eventually told. It is a cruel end to a resilient performance, but that is the nature of knockout football. One mistake, one moment of magic from Kane, and the dream is over.
Who scored for DR Congo against England?
Brian Kibambe Cipenga scored the opening goal in the 7th minute to give DR Congo a 1-0 lead before Harry Kane's brace secured a 2-1 win for England.
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Source: Kawowo Sports
