The "home of football," England, edged past DR Congo to advance to the round of 16.
England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 in a round-of-32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at Atlanta Stadium in the U.S. state of Georgia on Wednesday (Korea time), riding a brace from star striker Harry Kane.
England, which has not won a World Cup trophy in the 60 years since hosting the tournament at home in 1966, reached the knockout stage by finishing first in Group L with seven points, taking another step toward ending its long drought.
England will face co-host Mexico in the round of 16 on Saturday in Mexico City.
DR Congo could not overcome England, but the team made a strong impression on football fans by battling the European powerhouse in a close contest at the World Cup finals, its first appearance in 52 years since debuting in the 1974 tournament under the name "Zaire."
DR Congo scored first in the match. In the seventh minute, Chancel Mbemba delivered a long cross that connected forward in one touch, and Bryan Cipenga finished with a sharp right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, shaking the net.
Having conceded the blow, England pressed for an equalizer throughout the first half with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge, but could not break through DR Congo's strong defense.
The frustrating flow was broken in the 75th minute. England's Anthony Gordon deftly lifted the ball into the center from the left side of the penalty area, and Kane headed home the equalizer.
Kane's boot, once fired, sparked again 11 minutes later. In the 86th minute, Bellingham's shot was blocked by the DR Congo goalkeeper, and Gordon collected the loose ball and passed it to Kane, who drove a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area for the winning goal.
Kane, with his fourth and fifth goals of the tournament, closed to within one goal of joint scoring leaders Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappe (France), both on six goals. Kane's career World Cup tally rose to 13 goals.
No further goals came, and the match ended in a thrilling one-goal win for England.
