Harry Kane rescued England with two late goals in a dramatic comeback win over a stubbornly defensive DR Congo. Brian Kibambe Cipenga stunned the Three Lions after just seven minutes, while goalkeeper Lionel Nzau Mpasi made a string of super saves to keep the underdogs ahead.
England kept knocking, and eventually broke through in the 75th minute as Kane found the equaliser, before the captain struck again with a brilliant 86th-minute winner. Anthony Gordon was brought on in the second half and changed the game, assisting both goals with great vision. England are through to the Round of 16 after a proper scare and will face Mexico in Mexico City, which will be England's biggest challenge so far.
Player Ratings
England
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Jordan Pickford | 6.7 | Faced limited serious threats; made comfortable save from Elia's weak second-half effort. |
Ezri Konsa | 6.8 | Improved after shaky start; made several clearances and nearly headed in from set piece. |
Marc Guéhi | 6.7 | Switched play effectively from left centre-back; workmanlike display without dominant moments. |
Djed Spence | 5.5 | Caught out of position for Cipenga's goal; struggled defensively throughout before substitution. |
Nico O'Reilly | 6.6 | Overlapped regularly from left-back; solid in both phases without creating clear chances. |
Elliot Anderson | 6.7 | Important block on Mbuku's goalbound shot; steady midfield presence without standout moments. |
Declan Rice | 7.2 | Set-piece deliverer who adapted to right-back; cross created Gordon assist for Kane's equaliser. |
Jude Bellingham | 7.0 | Booked for cynical foul; headers superbly saved by Mpasi-Nzau despite evident frustration. |
Noni Madueke | 6.7 | Provided width on the right; created Bellingham's best chance before substitution at 61'. |
Marcus Rashford | 6.5 | Shot cleared off line by Wan-Bissaka; struck side netting when well placed. |
Harry Kane | 9.1 | Two-goal brace completed England's comeback; decisive header and right-footed finish sealed victory. |
Bukayo Saka | 7.0 | Entered at 61' and injected urgency; involved in build-up to Kane's equaliser. |
Anthony Gordon | 8.3 | Match-changing substitute with two assists; crossed for both Kane goals to seal win. |
Eberechi Eze | 6.4 | Added attacking impetus from 70'; drew foul and provided creativity in final third. |
John Stones | 6.2 | Late cameo at 90+1' to protect lead; minimal involvement beyond defensive stability. |
Congo DR
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Lionel Mpasi-Nzau | 8.6 | Heroic performance with multiple outstanding saves; denied Bellingham twice and kept Congo DR alive. |
Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 7.4 | Goal-line clearance denied Rashford certain equaliser; excellent defensive display throughout. |
Chancel Mbemba | 7.3 | Captained with authority; exceptional diagonal pass assisted Cipenga's opening goal. |
Axel Tuanzebe | 7.2 | Crucial block denied Kane one-on-one; won majority of duels until late pressure. |
Arthur Masuaku | 6.6 | Blocked Madueke's shot; maintained discipline on left flank for 89 minutes. |
Ngal'ayel Mukau | 6.5 | Anchored midfield with tactical discipline; dropped deep to form back five when defending. |
Samuel Moutoussamy | 6.4 | Partnered Mukau in defensive screen; alternated dropping into backline during England attacks. |
Noah Sadiki | 6.6 | Movement created space for Cipenga's goal; booked for challenge on Spence in 28'. |
Nathanaël Mbuku | 6.5 | Drew foul that earned Bellingham's yellow; provided width before replacement at 64'. |
Brian Cipenga | 7.5 | Opened scoring with composed right-footed finish in 7'; troubled Spence throughout before substitution. |
Yoane Wissa | 6.7 | Struck post in 42' from close range; late free kick sailed over the bar. |
Meschack Elia | 6.2 | Replaced Mbuku at 64'; weak shot easily saved by Pickford in 85th minute. |
Théo Bongonda | 6.1 | Entered at 76' for Cipenga; limited impact as England dominated closing stages. |
Edo Kayembe | 6.1 | Introduced at 76' for midfield reinforcement; unable to stem England's late momentum. |
Joris Kayembe | 6.0 | Late substitute at 89' replacing Masuaku; minimal time to influence proceedings. |
Fiston Mayele | 6.0 | Entered at 89' with Congo DR seeking equaliser; virtually no opportunity to impact match. |
