Harry Kane delivered a dramatic rescue mission for England, scoring twice in the closing stages to overturn a 1-0 deficit against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta. The come-from-behind win, secured with goals in the final 15 minutes, kept England's World Cup dreams alive and propelled them into the last 16.
Kane's brace not only spared England from an embarrassing exit but also moved him onto five goals for the tournament, keeping him in contention for the Golden Boot. The captain, already England's all-time top scorer in World Cup competition, now has 13 career goals in the tournament. Defender Marc Guéhi and midfielder O'Reilly also played key roles in the comeback, according to match reports.
The victory allows England to advance from the group stage, sidestepping what would have been a seismic shock against the underdog Congolese side. Manager Thomas Tuchel praised his team's refusal to accept defeat, noting they defied the ghosts of previous tournament disappointments. England are aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major trophy.
England will now prepare for their Round of 16 fixture, with an opponent yet to be determined. The squad will look to build on the momentum of the late rally as they seek deeper progress in the competition.
"England refused to accept defeat," Tuchel said after the match. "It was a beautiful win."