England secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo in Atlanta on Tuesday, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice in the second half to overturn a first-half deficit and book a round-of-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico. The win, played under the management of Thomas Tuchel, keeps England's World Cup campaign alive as they now prepare for a formidable challenge at the Estadio Azteca, a venue where Mexico has historically been difficult to beat.
DR Congo took a surprise lead in the first half, putting England under significant pressure and threatening an early exit from the tournament. The African side, considered underdogs, capitalised on a defensive lapse to score and held their advantage until the interval. England struggled to find rhythm in the opening period, with Tuchel's side appearing disjointed and unable to create clear chances against a well-organised DR Congo defence.
Kane, however, emerged as the decisive figure after the break. The England captain equalised with a composed finish early in the second half, restoring parity and shifting momentum in England's favour. He then completed the turnaround with a second goal, demonstrating his trademark clinical finishing to put England ahead. The brace not only secured the win but also underlined Kane's importance to the side as they progress deeper into the competition.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated last-16 clash against Mexico, who are co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup and will play at their iconic Estadio Azteca stadium. The venue is known for its passionate home crowd and challenging conditions for visiting teams, making it a significant test for Tuchel's squad. Mexico advanced from their group with a strong performance, and the match promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Belgium staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time, with a late penalty from Youri Tielemans completing the turnaround. That result added to the drama of a day that saw several tightly contested matches, underscoring the competitive nature of the World Cup as the knockout rounds begin.
For England, the focus now shifts to preparing for the Mexico match, with Tuchel expected to assess his squad's fitness and tactical approach. The team will need to improve on their first-half performance against DR Congo if they are to overcome the co-hosts in front of a hostile crowd. Kane's form, however, provides a significant boost, as the striker continues to deliver in crucial moments for his country.
The round-of-16 tie against Mexico is scheduled to take place in the coming days, with England aiming to advance to the quarter-finals and keep their World Cup hopes alive. The match will be a stern test of Tuchel's tactical acumen and the team's resilience, as they face a Mexican side buoyed by home support and a strong tournament run so far.
