Harry Kane’s superb nine-minute brace rescued England from a shock World Cup exit at the round of 32 stage and snatched a 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in Atlanta.
Brian Cipenga gave the Congolese a shock lead seven minutes in, before Harry Kane spared the Three Lions’ blushes heading home the equalizer before rifling home a fantastic finish into the top right corner with four minutes to go.
Thomas Tuchel’s men were superior for most of the game, and had it not been for Lionel Mpasi-Nsau’s efforts the scoreline could’ve been even more convincing for England – who face Mexico at the Azteca in the round of 16 on Monday.
As it happened
England started threateningly, and had an attack within four minutes following a mix up in the middle from DR Congo. But a promising move fizzled out when Noni Madueke overhit his cross into the area.
But just three minutes later the Africans took a shock lead through Cipenga. Ex-Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba flicked a pinpoint ball onto the (now former) Castellon man to fire home at Jordan Pickford’s near post after poor Three Lions defending.
England attempted to respond and had a great chance through Rashford ten minutes later, but the Man United forward was beaten to the ball by Mpasi-Nzau before he could get a header away.
Tuchel’s men came out firing after the hydration break and saw Ezri Konsa put an effort wide via his knee, before Jude Bellingham had a free header saved by Mpasi-Nzau.
DR Congo continued to cause havoc for a weak England backline, though, and Cipenga blazed an opportunity for his second over the bar from distance.
Despite the Congolese threat however England continued to grow into the game, as Kane was tackled in the area before he could take a shot before Marcus Rashford saw a close-range strike blocked on the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Yoane Wissa almost made it two for an impressive DR Congo just before half time, only to see his effort deflect off Nico O-Reilly and cannon off the psot from eight yards out.
And just seconds later England were denied what appeared to be a stonewall penalty when Mpasi-Nzau dragged Kane down by his ankle.
In an end-to-end finish to the first half Bellingham saw another header superbly saved by Mpasi-Nzau, before the Congolese shot-stopper saved again – this time from Kane -right before the interval after a Three Lions corner.
England picked up where they left off after the restart, and saw an inviting Declan Rice corner headed behind by Arthur Masuaku before Rashford fired into the setting following a blistering run.
In what was fast becoming the game’s recurring theme Mpasi-Nsau denied Bellingham for a third time, on this occasion getting a strong palm to the Real Madrid midfielder’s fierce angled shot.
But the Congolese once again reminded England of their own attacking potency when Nathanael Mbuku unleashed a piledriver from range, which Elliot Anderson was forced to deal with.
England finally, finally got the goal their second half performance deserved in the last 15 minutes, Kane nodding in a close range header from a delicious Anthony Gordon cross after excellent footwork from the new Barcelona signing.
After finally beating the indomitable Mpasi-Nsau Tuchel’s men began found fresh impetus, and Anderson fizzed a potshot just over the bar as the Three Lions pressed for a winner.
And Kane duly found that winner when he beat three defenders before lashing a thunderbolt into the roof of the net five minutes from time, after Bellingham saw yet another attempt clawed away from Mpasi-Nsau.
DR Congo had one final chance to equalise via a Yoan Wissa free kick, but the Newcastle frontman was unable to find the net at the death as his nation fell agonisingly short.
For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
