Kane turns the match against Congo with two goals, England…
England turned the match against Congo, Kane secured the win with two goals
England were 1-0 down but Harry Kane turned the game around with two late goals to send them into the round of 16 against Mexico. However, defensive weaknesses remain a red flag.
England dramatically overturned their World Cup play-off first round match against Congo to progress with a 2-1 win. The African team shocked favored England with an early goal from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by the English defence. Congo then kept a solid formation for a long time and the excellent performance of the goalkeeper Mpasia, who saved his team several times from losing a bigger deficit.
Harry Kane entered the game as a key figure and with his two goals in the last fifteen minutes of the match (75th and 86th minute) definitively decided the fate of the game. The England captain took his tally to five goals in the tournament and, according to official reports, surpassed Pelé's World Cup goalscoring record. His performance thus once again confirmed the status of a world superstar and an irreplaceable member of the English team.
In addition to Kane's heroics, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Marcus Rashford all played a part in the win as they struggled to break down the Congolese defence. However, Thomas Tuchel also had to monitor his team's defensive problems, which proved to be a critical factor in the first half. England's defense was threatened several times by Congo's quick counter-attacks, although Mpasi kept his team afloat.
The stats don't lie and England struggled in the first half, revealing deeper systemic issues than just a momentary slump. Tuchel's tactics ran up against a disciplined Congolese wall, and the opposition's quick counter-attacks clearly showed the fragility of the back lines, which cannot be overlooked. That stars like Bellingham and Rashford struggled to establish themselves until the final quarter of an hour signals an imbalance in the line-up that even Kane's individuality cannot mask for long.
Cipeng's opening strike was no fluke, but a direct result of laxity in transitioning into defence, a recipe for disaster against better opposition. Breaking Pelé's legendary record may rewrite history, but in the context of the entire tournament, it is a moral boost rather than a guarantee of success. This performance is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it builds respect for opponents, on the other hand, it puts enormous pressure on the wings, who have to get involved in defense to cover the holes of the attacking full-backs.
The road to the final will be via Mexico and if England do not sort out the defensive chaos that almost cost them progress today, Kane's record run could soon be over. However, Kane's turnaround is not only about individual qualities, but also about the psychological aspect of the play-offs. Congo, which had stayed afloat thanks to Mpasi's interventions, eventually collapsed under the pressure of England's attacks.
The pressure of the final minutes showed how important mental toughness is in crucial moments. Kane's first goal in the 75th minute came just as England seemed to be losing the initiative and immediately changed the momentum of the game. The second goal in the 86th minute was the final confirmation that Congo's system errors were not random, but systematic.
At the same time, it should be remembered that Congo, despite the defeat, left the tournament with their heads held high. The team led by coach Dieudonné Mboul proved that African football has a lot to offer at the World Cup. Their discipline and organization in the first half was an example of how to play against the favourites.
Although in the end they were not enough for England's stars, their performance was proof that African football has a future at the highest level. Reactions to the match are coming from all over the world. "It's exactly the kind of game that defines the tournament.
The team showed character, but we have to focus on what went wrong defensively," Tuchel said after the match. Kane's all-time record and England's title hopes are already being debated by fans and analysts alike, as well as the need to improve defensive performance ahead of the next round. What is in store for England now?
In the round of 16, they will face Mexico at the Aztec Stadium. The opponent will be a huge challenge, especially because of the support of the home crowd and the tactical experience of the Mexican team. Tuchel and his team will have to quickly correct the defensive shortcomings in order to continue the fight for the world title. Read at České noviny Sport
Why this matters
This game is an example of why the playoffs are so exciting. England, one of the favorites for the tournament, found themselves on the brink of elimination against a tenacious Congo. The dramatic turnaround, thanks to their captain Harry Kane, shows the mental strength of the team, but also exposes the defensive weaknesses they will need to fix before the next round. Kane's performance and breaking Pelé's record only underlines his status as a global superstar and a key player for England's title hopes. Their next opponent, hosts Mexico, will be a huge challenge that will test whether England can combine individual qualities with team cohesion. The match also showed that African football has a lot to offer at the World Cup, and that systemic mistakes by the favorites can cost them progress even against seemingly weaker opponents.
Frequently asked
Who scored Congo's first goal against England?
Congo's first goal was scored by Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute of the match.
How many goals did Harry Kane score in this match?
Harry Kane scored two goals in the 75th and 86th minutes to turn the game around.
How many goals does Harry Kane have in total in this World Cup?
Harry Kane has scored a total of five goals in this World Cup.
Who is the Congolese goalkeeper who excelled in this match?
Congo's goalkeeper was Mpasi, who saved his team from a bigger deficit several times.
Who is England's next opponent in the round of 16?
England will face host Mexico in the round of 16 at the Aztec Stadium.
