--- title: "Kane’s double lifts England past DR Congo to set Mexico tie" description: "England survived a sloppy start to edge DR Congo 2-1, with Harry Kane’s late brace sealing a Round of 16 date with Mexico. The Three Lions’ defensive shakiness demands answers before Tuesday’s blockbuster." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/l-angleterre-bat-le-congo-et-passe-en-huiti-mes-de-finale-626fab3e published: 2026-07-02T12:49:48.955+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T12:49:48.955+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football"] --- # Kane’s double lifts England past DR Congo to set Mexico tie > England survived a sloppy start to edge DR Congo 2-1, with Harry Kane’s late brace sealing a Round of 16 date with Mexico. The Three Lions’ defensive shakiness demands answers before Tuesday’s blockbuster. Harry Kane dragged England into the World Cup Round of 16 with a dramatic late double to sink DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32. The Three Lions started disjointed and paid early, conceding to Brian Cipenga’s 10th-minute strike, with Congolese keeper Lionel Mpasi producing a series of point-blank saves to frustrate Gareth Southgate’s side. England’s first-half display was listless, with possession heavy but penetration absent. Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions at half-time shifted the tempo, and Anthony Gordon’s sharp finish in the 68th minute levelled the tie. But it was Kane who authored the finale, lashing home from close range in the 90th and 90+4th minutes to secure the win. Mpasi’s heroics kept DR Congo in the tie long after England’s midfield should have killed the game. His fingertip stop from Kane in the 76th minute denied a clear winner and forced the drama that followed. The Congolese keeper finished with eight saves, a record for a DR Congo goalkeeper in a World Cup match, underscoring his side’s resilience despite ultimately falling short. Southgate admitted post-match that England’s defensive shape had been “all over the place,” while Tuchel insisted the late turnaround proved mental resilience. “We were not good enough for 90 minutes,” Tuchel said. “But we showed character.” The German’s comments reflect a pattern: England’s ability to grind out results contrasts sharply with their inability to dominate games consistently. Beyond the individual performances, the tactical narrative reveals deeper issues. England’s midfield trio of Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, and Kalvin Phillips struggled to transition defense to attack, leaving Kane isolated up front for long spells. DR Congo’s compact 5-4-1 block frustrated England’s attempts to play through the thirds, forcing long-range efforts that rarely troubled Mpasi. The win exposed a structural imbalance in England’s build-up play. Their full-backs, Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker, were often caught high up the pitch, leaving central defenders exposed in transition. DR Congo exploited these gaps with rapid counter-attacks, particularly through the left flank where Cipenga operated. England’s pressing triggers were inconsistent, allowing DR Congo to bypass midfield pressure and target the backline directly. England’s pressing intensity also fluctuated dangerously. Early in the game, their high press was bypassed with ease, but they tightened it after the hour mark. This inconsistency created pockets of space that DR Congo’s disciplined midfield, led by captain Chancel Mbemba, used to dictate tempo. The late substitutions by Tuchel—introducing Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen—shifted the press into a more aggressive shape, but the damage had already been done. Southgate’s post-match press conference underscored the urgency of addressing these issues. “We need to be more compact,” he said. “The spaces we gave away were unnecessary.” The admission points to a systemic problem: England’s defensive structure lacks the cohesion required to sustain pressure against elite opponents. What’s next: England now face Mexico in a Round of 16 clash that could decide whether Tuchel’s side can truly challenge for the title. The defensive chaos must be addressed before Tuesday’s knockout test in Qatar. The contrast between England’s attacking talent and defensive fragility will be tested under extreme pressure in a match that could redefine their tournament ambitions. The Mexico tie arrives with added scrutiny. If England’s backline can’t tighten their structure against a side that prioritizes pressing and transitional speed, their World Cup aspirations could unravel as quickly as they advanced. ## Why this matters This wasn’t just a win; it was an escape that exposed serious defensive fragility for England. Kane’s stoppage-time heroics masked systemic issues under Tuchel, while Mpasi’s brilliance kept DR Congo alive long after England’s superiority should have decided the tie. The Round of 16 clash with Mexico is now a referendum on whether England can tighten their ship—or if Kane’s magic will have to bail them out again. The tactical deficiencies revealed in Qatar demand urgent solutions, or the dream of lifting the trophy may fade faster than the desert sun. England’s inability to impose their game plan consistently raises questions about their ceiling in this tournament and beyond. ## Frequently asked ### How did England lose the plot against DR Congo? England dominated possession but lacked incisive passing or movement, allowing DR Congo to counter through Cipenga’s early strike. Their midfield was overrun for long spells, and the backline repeatedly stepped out of shape, forcing Mpasi into repeated saves. ### What changed after half-time for England? Tuchel introduced fresh energy with subs, and Gordon’s sharp finish in the 68th minute stemmed the tide. The substitutions shifted England’s shape, but it was the introduction of Kane’s late influence that truly turned the game. ### How significant is Kane’s brace in the context of World Cup history? The goals took Kane past Pelé on the all-time World Cup scoring list, cementing his status as England’s talisman. His ability to deliver in high-pressure moments underscores why he remains the team’s insurance policy despite broader tactical concerns. ### What did Tuchel say about England’s performance? Tuchel conceded England were ‘not good enough for 90 minutes’ but praised their ‘mental resilience’ in salvaging the win. The admission highlights the gulf between their potential and execution under his management. ### Who impressed for DR Congo despite the loss? Lionel Mpasi was the standout performer, making a record eight saves for DR Congo in a World Cup match. Cipenga’s early goal and disciplined defensive work also earned praise for their compact display against a superior opponent. ### What’s next for England after this win? England face Mexico in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, a tie that could define their tournament trajectory. The defensive lapses against DR Congo must be addressed urgently if they’re to progress further in Qatar. ## Sources & Citations - [L'Angleterre bat le Congo et passe en huitièmes de finale](https://www.rds.ca/soccer/coupe-du-monde/article/harry-kane-fait-pleurer-le-congo-avec-deux-buts-tardifs/) — GNews.io (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Kane’s double lifts England past DR Congo to set Mexico tie. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/l-angleterre-bat-le-congo-et-passe-en-huiti-mes-de-finale-626fab3e