--- title: "Kane’s 87th-minute strike sends England through after DR Congo scare" description: "England survived a late DR Congo fightback to edge past the Leopards 2-1 in Atlanta, with Harry Kane’s dramatic winner keeping Southgate’s side’s World Cup dreams alive." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/coupe-du-monde-l-angleterre-peut-remercier-kane-qui-sauve-5be449d0 published: 2026-07-03T05:31:56.314+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T05:31:56.314+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer", "basketball"] --- # Kane’s 87th-minute strike sends England through after DR Congo scare > England survived a late DR Congo fightback to edge past the Leopards 2-1 in Atlanta, with Harry Kane’s dramatic winner keeping Southgate’s side’s World Cup dreams alive. England scraped past DR Congo 2-1 in a nervy World Cup group finale, with Harry Kane’s 87th-minute winner sealing a tense passage to the knockout rounds. The Three Lions survived a spirited fightback from the Leopards in Atlanta. Kane’s composed finish from the penalty spot after Bukayo Saka’s 43rd-minute opener gave England a lifeline, but DR Congo leveled through Chancel Mbemba’s 67th-minute header. The Leopards pushed hard for a winner, forcing Jordan Pickford into sharp saves late on, but England held firm to secure all three points. The result means England finish second in Group C behind hosts USA, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Group D winners. Southgate’s side showed resilience but will need to tighten up defensively if they’re to go deeper in the tournament. The Three Lions’ attacking structure relied heavily on set-pieces, with both goals originating from dead-ball situations—a pattern that reflects England’s reliance on aerial dominance in transition phases. England’s defensive frailties were exposed repeatedly, particularly in the second half when DR Congo’s pressing forced errors in midfield. The Leopards’ high press created gaps, but England’s backline, despite conceding, managed to regroup under pressure. The tactical battle revealed England’s vulnerability to quick transitions, a concern as they face potentially faster opponents in the knockout stages. The narrow win exposed England’s reliance on individual brilliance—Kane’s penalty and Saka’s early strike—to mask deeper structural issues. While the set-piece route to goal remains a reliable outlet, the lack of fluid build-up play in the final third raises questions about Gareth Southgate’s tactical flexibility against varied opponents. The Leopards’ intensity in pressing also highlighted how teams with high-energy midfields can exploit England’s midfield transitions, a pattern that will be critical to address before the knockout rounds. England’s midfield struggled to control the tempo, with Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo often outnumbered in duels. DR Congo’s midfield trio pressed aggressively, disrupting England’s rhythm and forcing turnovers that led to their equalizing goal. The inability to dominate possession in the middle third suggests England may need to adjust their pressing triggers or adopt a more conservative shape to protect the backline in high-stakes matches. England captain Kane admitted the win was far from comfortable. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy against DR Congo, but to get the three points in the end is what matters,” he said. “We’ll take it and focus on the next game.” What’s next: England now prepare for a high-stakes Round of 16 tie, with the winner facing Group D’s top seed in a knockout showdown that could define their World Cup run. The fixture will test England’s ability to handle pressure, as the Leopards’ performance underscored the unpredictability of knockout football. ## Why this matters Harry Kane’s clutch finish masked England’s late nerves against DR Congo, but the 2-1 win in Atlanta kept Gareth Southgate’s side’s World Cup hopes alive. The victory sets up a daunting Round of 16 clash, proving the Three Lions can grind out results under pressure. It also highlighted England’s reliance on set-pieces and defensive resilience, traits that will be scrutinized as the tournament intensifies. The narrow win, however, exposed deeper tactical vulnerabilities that could be exploited by more organized opponents in the knockout stages. ## Frequently asked ### How did England secure the win against DR Congo? England led through Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike, but DR Congo equalized via Chancel Mbemba’s header. Harry Kane then converted a 87th-minute penalty to seal a 2-1 victory in Atlanta. ### Who scored England’s goals against DR Congo? Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 43rd-minute, while Harry Kane’s 87th-minute penalty completed the comeback after DR Congo’s equalizer. ### Where did the England vs DR Congo match take place? The game was played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage. ### What’s next for England in the World Cup? England finished second in Group C and will face the Group D winners in the Round of 16, with the match set for a high-stakes knockout clash. ### How did DR Congo perform in the match? DR Congo pushed hard for a winner, equalizing through Chancel Mbemba and testing England late, but ultimately fell short in a 2-1 defeat. ### What tactical issues did England face against DR Congo? England’s defensive frailties were exposed by DR Congo’s high press, while their reliance on set-pieces for goals highlighted structural vulnerabilities ahead of the knockout stages. Midfield control also proved problematic, with DR Congo’s pressing disrupting England’s tempo. ## Sources & Citations - [Coupe du monde : l'Angleterre peut remercier Kane qui sauve les Three Lions de la crise face à la RDC](https://www.onzemondial.com/coupe-du-monde/coupe-du-monde-langleterre-peut-remercier-kane-qui-sauve-les-three-lions-de-la-crise-face-a-la-rdc-992948) — NewsData.io (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Kane’s 87th-minute strike sends England through after DR Congo scare. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/coupe-du-monde-l-angleterre-peut-remercier-kane-qui-sauve-5be449d0