ATLANTA — Harry Kane struck twice in the second half as England came from behind to beat Congo 2-1 on Wednesday, booking a place in the Round of 16 and avoiding a shock World Cup exit.
The England captain rescued the 1966 champions after Brian Cipenga’s early goal had put tournament debutants Congo on course for one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
England will now face co-host Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca in the Round of 16.
“It was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock and our moment would come,” Kane said after taking his tournament tally to five goals. “We spoke about people having hero moments. It can be anyone in the team. Whoever it is, we have hero moments, and today it was me.”
England became only the second team in the nation’s World Cup history to win a knockout match after conceding first. Their only previous comeback victory came in the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany.
“That’s a good sign,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said. “It shows the level of determination, belief and focus. I didn’t feel the weight on their shoulders. We played with exactly the right attitude and trusted our spirit.
“The goalkeeper made incredible saves, but this team did not accept defeat as an outcome.”
Cipenga stunned England by opening the scoring in the seventh minute, collecting a cross inside the penalty area before firing low past Jordan Pickford at the near post.
Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi then produced a series of outstanding saves to preserve the lead, denying Jude Bellingham three times, blocking Kane at the near post and frustrating England throughout much of the match.
Yoane Wissa also struck the post as Congo threatened to double its advantage before halftime.
England finally found a breakthrough in the 75th minute when substitute Anthony Gordon delivered a cross from the left and Kane’s header squeezed past Mpasi despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.
Kane completed the comeback 11 minutes later, firing into the top corner to send England through.
“When you get to the knockouts, the pressure and the risks are much higher, but from an attacking point of view that was our best game of the tournament,” Kane said. “Sometimes you have to grind wins out, and we did exactly that today. I told the boys to enjoy it. We’re through, and we go again in four days.”
The goals extended Kane’s record as England’s leading World Cup scorer to 13 and took his overall international tally to 84 goals.
Despite the defeat, Congo exited with pride after making history at its first World Cup since competing as Zaire in 1974. The African side recorded its first World Cup goal, point and victory during the tournament before pushing one of the favorites to the limit.
“We’re disappointed because we really believed we could do it,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said. “We played well. Towards the end of the match, we conceded two chances and one of the world’s best players scored two goals against us. It’s a shame.”
England, seeking a first major title since lifting the World Cup in 1966, will now turn its attention to Mexico, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
Source: Saudi Gazette