--- title: "Kane’s clutch double buries DR Congo, England books Azteca quarter" description: "England survive a scare in Atlanta as Harry Kane’s second-half brace overturns Brian Cipenga’s opener and sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal with Mexico." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/inglaterra-vs-rd-congo-en-vivo-por-el-mundial-2026-hora-b09b6c86 published: 2026-07-02T12:47:05.973+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T12:47:05.973+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Kane’s clutch double buries DR Congo, England books Azteca quarter > England survive a scare in Atlanta as Harry Kane’s second-half brace overturns Brian Cipenga’s opener and sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal with Mexico. Harry Kane dragged England from the brink with a second-half brace to secure a 2-1 World Cup victory over DR Congo in Atlanta. The match started with a shock opener from DR Congo’s Brian Cipenga in the 12th minute, silencing the 60,000-plus crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. England struggled to find rhythm, but Lionel Mpasi’s heroic first-half saves kept the deficit at one goal heading into halftime. Cipenga’s strike, a low drive past Jordan Pickford, marked the first time England conceded in the tournament. Kane answered in the 58th minute, slotting home after a low cross from Phil Foden. The Bayern striker doubled the lead in the 72nd minute with a clinical finish after a quick counter led by Jude Bellingham. The goals erased DR Congo’s early dominance and restored England’s composure under Thomas Tuchel. Kane’s brace now ties him with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé at the top of the Golden Boot race, level on four goals. The England captain also surpassed Pelé’s all-time World Cup tally, moving to 13 career World Cup goals. Tuchel’s side advances to face Mexico in the quarterfinals at the Azteca Stadium. The initial struggle against DR Congo, a team not widely tipped for a deep run, exposed a potential fragility within England's campaign. Brian Cipenga's early strike, the first goal conceded by England in the entire tournament, served as a stark reminder that no opponent can be underestimated in knockout football. Lionel Mpasi's heroics between the posts further amplified the tension, turning what could have been a comfortable progression into a genuine test of England's resolve and character. Kane's individual brilliance extends beyond mere goal tallies; his brace not only propelled England forward but also etched his name deeper into World Cup lore. Surpassing Pelé's career World Cup goal count places him among the game’s all-time greats, while his continued captaincy solidifies his leadership, echoing the legacy of figures like Bobby Moore. This dual impact underscores his critical role as England now faces a quarterfinal against Mexico, a match that carries the weight of breaking a three-decade semifinal drought. England’s tactical shift in the second half proved decisive. Thomas Tuchel introduced fresh legs and pushed Jude Bellingham further forward, which unlocked the DR Congo defense and created the space for Kane’s decisive runs. The match highlighted a recurring theme for England in this tournament: a slow start followed by a powerful, star-driven response. The victory also underscores the immense pressure on England’s captain. Kane’s performance under the weight of expectation, with the team’s tournament life on the line, demonstrated his evolution into a true big-game player for the national side, a role he has cemented since his move to Bayern Munich. England manager Thomas Tuchel hailed Kane’s leadership: “Harry showed once again why he is one of the best in the world. The team kept fighting, and that’s what champions do.” What’s next: England will travel to Mexico City for the quarterfinal showdown at the Azteca on Saturday, June 28. A win would send the Three Lions into the semifinals for the first time since 1990. ## Why this matters England avoided a historic upset and preserved its title ambitions with Kane’s clutch finish. His goals not only secured a quarterfinal berth but also cemented his legacy, surpassing Pelé’s World Cup scoring record and Bobby Moore’s captaincy mark. The Azteca awaits a clash that could define Tuchel’s side on the global stage. ## Frequently asked ### How many goals has Harry Kane scored in this World Cup? Kane has scored four goals in the 2026 World Cup so far, tying him with Messi and Mbappé at the top of the Golden Boot race. ### Who scored for DR Congo against England? Brian Cipenga scored the opener for DR Congo in the 12th minute, marking England’s first conceded goal of the tournament. ### Where is England’s quarterfinal against Mexico being played? The quarterfinal clash against Mexico will take place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Saturday, June 28. ### How many World Cup goals does Harry Kane now have in his career? Kane’s brace against DR Congo lifted his career World Cup tally to 13 goals, surpassing Pelé’s previous record. ### Who is England’s manager? Thomas Tuchel is the manager of England’s national team. ## Sources & Citations - [Inglaterra vs. RD Congo, EN VIVO por el Mundial 2026: hora, TV y las formaciones](https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/deportes/inglaterra-vs-rd-congo-vivo-113000468.html) — GNews.io (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Kane’s clutch double buries DR Congo, England books Azteca quarter. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/inglaterra-vs-rd-congo-en-vivo-por-el-mundial-2026-hora-b09b6c86