England 2 - 1 Congo DR
England beat Congo DR 2-1 in Atlanta, Harry Kane turning a Round of 32 scare into survival for Thomas Tuchel. An early deficit, a rattled first half, then the captain struck twice inside the final quarter-hour to haul England into the last sixteen.
Brian Cipenga scored in the 7th minute, finishing from Chancel Mbemba’s ball after England’s back four were split before they had even settled. Congo DR’s 4-3-3 pinched central spaces, Samuel Moutoussamy and Noah Sadiki closing passing lanes into Jude Bellingham, who was booked for a 19th-minute foul as frustration spread. By the 27th minute Sadiki had also seen yellow, and England were still without rhythm.
The moment that summed up the first half arrived in the 44th minute when a VAR check cancelled a potential Harry Kane penalty. Tuchel’s 4-2-3-1 kept seeing the ball, 60 percent of it by full time, yet the tempo was flat and Lionel Mpasi Nzau stayed largely untroubled before the break.
Tuchel had the double change scripted for the hour: Bukayo Saka replaced Noni Madueke, while Anthony Gordon came on for Marcus Rashford. Gordon immediately stretched the pitch from the left, Elliot Anderson pushed higher, and the Congo DR midfield suddenly had chasing to do. Eberechi Eze’s entrance for Djed Spence in the 71st minute shifted Bellingham right and opened another passing angle into Kane.
Kane equalised in the 75th minute after Gordon worked the opening. Congo DR responded with Théo Bongonda and Edo Kayembe in the 76th minute, yet they no longer escaped England’s press. Kane struck again in the 86th minute, once more finishing from Gordon’s supply as Tuchel’s tweaks and the captain’s timing aligned. Late changes kept the clock moving, John Stones closing it out after replacing Declan Rice in the 90th minute.
Congo DR had started so crisply: Aaron Wan-Bissaka aggressive in the duels, Moutoussamy and Mbemba organising from deep. But Sébastien Desabre’s side managed only seven shots and an xG of 0.80, fading once Gordon arrived. England, with 16 attempts and 2.04 expected goals, finally reflected their control.
Tuchel now prepares for the last sixteen with Kane and Gordon reconnected, Elliot Anderson thriving as the second pivot, and questions lingering over Nico O’Reilly’s balance on the left. Congo DR depart with credit, Mbemba again the leader, but they could not stay out of England’s grip once the substitutions hit.
Elsewhere in the bracket, check Belgium vs Senegal and USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina for the wider World Cup picture, while Argentina vs Cape Verde Islands sets up tomorrow’s headlines.
England move on, job not yet done. Training resumes tomorrow morning, Tuchel and his staff locking the next match plan once the opponent is confirmed. Updates to follow.
