English captain Harry Kane turned the match two goals in the last 15 minutes and moved his country to the 8-finals of MS 2026.
Harry Kane scored twice late on to save England from a 2-1 defeat to Congo in the first round of the 2026 World Cup play-offs. minute of the opponent's defensive error and decided on the win. England thus advanced to the round of 16, where they will face Mexico.
With 13 goals at the 2026 World Cup, Kane took third place in the tournament's all-time scorers' table, where he overtook Pelé. The match was played in Miami and was marked by low intensity for the first 75 minutes. Congo dominated the number of shots but could not convert the pressure into a goal.
Only Kane's conversion of two chances in the final moments decided England's fate. The contrast between the first full stretch of the game and the final quarter of an hour was striking. England looked bereft, unable to penetrate an organized Congo defense that thrived on breaks.
Congo's statistical superiority in shots reveals a systemic weakness in England's midfield control that Thomas Tuchel must address ahead of the clash with Mexico. The three points were not born of team dominance, but of the pure individual quality of the captain. Surpassing Pelé is not just a dry statistic, but a seal on Kane's global legacy.
That this happened under the pressure of the elimination phase adds weight to the performance. Although the team performance was far from perfect, the ability to pull out a win even on a bad day separates the real favorites from the role players. Although this success masks visible weaknesses, it also provides the necessary moment for the fight for the title.
After the game, Thomas Tuchel described Kane's performance as "an inspiration for the whole team" and emphasized that the captain had shown "the will to win". The England manager also mentioned that Kane's second goal came when it looked like the match would end in a draw. Kane called the match "the best of the tournament" and added: "It's about guts and confidence.
" England remain in Miami, where they face Mexico in the Round of 16. Tuchel's team has a short time ahead of them to correct their defensive shortcomings, but progress secured in the last minute can mentally start the team for more demanding matches. Read at České noviny Sport
Kane's heroics not only saved the three points but showed the strength of the team's will at a critical moment in the tournament. Thanks to him, England reached the round of 16 and has a chance to continue the fight for the title. For Kane, this is another milestone in his career – he surpassed Pelé and moved to third place in the history of the World Cup scorers. His emphasis on team cohesion and courage can inspire the entire England squad in their next game against Mexico.
České noviny Sportceskenoviny.cz1 Jul, 19:23cs
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