--- title: "Kane’s two late strikes erase England’s World Cup demons" description: "Bayern Munich striker’s clutch double against DR Congo keeps Three Lions’ campaign alive and sets up last-16 clash with Mexico in Azteca." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/genuine-superstar-kane-produces-his-biggest-england-moment-1c21c97f published: 2026-07-03T08:36:51.889+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T08:36:51.889+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # Kane’s two late strikes erase England’s World Cup demons > Bayern Munich striker’s clutch double against DR Congo keeps Three Lions’ campaign alive and sets up last-16 clash with Mexico in Azteca. Harry Kane’s two-goal masterclass erased England’s World Cup demons and booked a last-16 tie with Mexico in Azteca. The Bayern Munich striker’s late header and a 90th-minute rocket sealed a nervy 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in Atlanta, keeping Thomas Tuchel’s job intact and sending England through to the Round of 16. Kane’s 89th-minute header leveled the game after DR Congo had taken a 60th-minute lead through Chancel Mbemba. Then, in stoppage time, Kane rifled home a low drive past the goalkeeper to complete his first World Cup knockout-stage brace since 1990. The victory masked a largely disjointed performance from Tuchel’s squad for nearly an hour. England struggled to break down a disciplined Congolese defense, with the midfield failing to supply service until the frantic final stages. Mbemba’s goal had stunned the Atlanta crowd and threatened to turn the group stage into a catastrophe, forcing Tuchel to chase the game with aggressive substitutions that finally unlocked the attack. Tuchel’s tactical setup was initially suffocated by the Congolese low block, exposing a lack of creativity in the engine room that has plagued the squad throughout the tournament. The manager’s reluctance to alter the system until the hour mark invited pressure, and it was only the introduction of direct width that stretched the play and allowed Kane to influence the game. While the result justifies the gamble, it highlights a fragility that Mexico, with their high-pressing intensity, will likely target from the first whistle in Mexico City. The historical weight of this comeback cannot be overstated, as England teams of the past have frequently folded in similar high-pressure situations against underdogs. By securing his first knockout-stage brace since 1990, Kane didn't just score goals; he shattered a psychological barrier that has haunted the national team for over three decades. However, the statistics gloss over the reality that England were seconds away from humiliation, and relying on individual rescue acts is an unsustainable strategy against elite opposition like a Mexican side that previously dispatched Brazil. This performance cements Kane’s status as the tournament’s most reliable assassin, dragging a faltering side across the line. The timing of the goals—coming when the team looked dead in the water—shifts the narrative from a squad relying on luck to one possessing elite resilience. It provides a crucial psychological buffer heading into the cauldron of Azteca, where momentum often outweighs tactical nuance. “This is what Harry Kane does,” said BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand. “He delivers when it matters most. That’s a World Cup winner right there.” What’s next: England’s Round of 16 clash with Mexico at Azteca Stadium on Monday will test whether Kane’s heroics can be sustained against a side that beat Brazil in the group stage. ## Why this matters Kane’s clutch double—his first knockout-stage brace since 1990—propelled England past a humiliating upset and into the Round of 16, while his 13th World Cup goal moved him into joint-sixth on the all-time scoring list. The win erased the memory of England’s underwhelming group-stage performances and restored belief in a side that had flirted with elimination. ## Frequently asked ### How many goals has Harry Kane scored in this World Cup? Kane now has 13 World Cup goals, moving him into joint-sixth place on the all-time scoring list. ### Who scored for DR Congo in their match against England? Chancel Mbemba scored DR Congo’s goal in the 60th minute before England’s dramatic comeback. ### Where will England play Mexico in the Round of 16? England will face Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Monday, June 30, in the Round of 16. ### What was the significance of Kane’s brace? It was Kane’s first World Cup knockout-stage brace since 1990, and it secured England’s place in the Round of 16 after a nervy performance. ### Did Thomas Tuchel’s job remain intact after the win? Yes, the victory kept Tuchel’s position as England manager secure after a campaign that had teetered on disaster. ## Sources & Citations - [Genuine superstar Kane produces his biggest England moment](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgd12vj79qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — BBC Football (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Kane’s two late strikes erase England’s World Cup demons. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/genuine-superstar-kane-produces-his-biggest-england-moment-1c21c97f