Harry Kane has rescued England before.
This time, he did it with the country staring at one of its most uncomfortable World Cup exits in years.
England were trailing DR Congo deep into the second half in Atlanta, struggling to break through a disciplined opponent and repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Then Kane took control of the night.
Two goals in the final 15 minutes turned a possible shock defeat into a 2-1 win, sending Thomas Tuchel’s side into the round of 16 against Mexico.
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Kane dragged England back
The official FIFA match centre lists England’s win over DR Congo as a round-of-32 match, with Brian Cipenga giving the African side the lead in the seventh minute before Kane scored in the 75th and 86th minutes.
It was a result England badly needed, but it was not a performance without concern.
DR Congo were compact, brave and dangerous in transition. Mpasi also produced several important saves, keeping England frustrated for long periods and giving his team real belief that a major upset was possible.
Quoted by BBC Sport, Kane admitted the match had been far from straightforward.
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“It was a crazy match against a difficult and well-organized opponent,” Kane said.
“We fell behind, but after the first water break, I think we got better and looked good. Their goalkeeper made some incredible saves in the first half, but it was just about keeping at it, and it would come.”
A captain’s finish
Kane’s first goal brought England level and changed the mood completely.
His second was the moment that will be remembered. With the match still balanced and the pressure rising, the England captain found the space and composure to produce a finish worthy of the occasion.
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According to TV 2 Sport, former England striker Alan Shearer was full of praise for the decisive goal.
“A piece of magic,” Shearer said.
“Not many strikers in the world can score that second goal. The way he turns and twists, his balance is incredible, and then he manages to send the ball with both precision and power right into the net. What a finish.”
It was the kind of moment England have come to expect from Kane, but that does not make it any less important.
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Neville makes his verdict clear
The performance also reopened a familiar debate.
Kane’s numbers for England already place him in a category of his own, but nights like this add something different. They are the matches that shape memory as much as statistics.
Also reported by TV 2 Sport, Gary Neville said Kane now stands above England’s other great strikers.
“If you talk about England’s best player ever, then Bobby Charlton and a few others are in that discussion. But if we talk about strikers, then he is 100 percent the best,” Neville said.
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“That places him above incredible players like Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Jimmy Greaves. He is the best.”
It is a strong claim, but Kane keeps building the case.
Mexico waits at the Azteca
Described by Sky Sports, England’s comeback win has set up a World Cup last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico.
That match will be played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with kick-off at 02:00 Danish time on Monday, July 6.
It will be a very different test.
England will face not only Mexico’s players, but also altitude, noise and the pressure of playing a host nation in one of football’s most famous stadiums. After the scare against DR Congo, Tuchel will know his team cannot afford another slow start.
England survive, but questions remain
England are still in the tournament.
That is the most important fact. Knockout football is rarely about comfort, and Kane’s late intervention means they remain on course for the deeper run expected of them.
But the performance also carried warnings.
DR Congo exposed uncertainty, forced England into uncomfortable situations and came close to sending them home. Mexico will have seen that. So will every other team left in the tournament.
For now, though, England have Kane.
And on a night when almost everything became difficult, that was enough.
