DR Congo bow out in Round of 32England recovered from a goal down to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, sealing their place in the last 16 after a tense and demanding encounter that tested their resilience for long periods.
The African side made a dream start and stunned the 1966 champions inside seven minutes when Brian Kibambe Cipenga struck with a composed near-post finish. The UD Almería forward reacted quickest inside the box to punish England early, silencing the crowd and handing DR Congo an unexpected but deserved lead for their bright opening spell.
From that moment, DR Congo settled into a disciplined and well-structured defensive shape, working tirelessly to close spaces and frustrate England’s attacking rhythm. Their organisation and commitment ensured that England struggled to find clear openings, with the underdogs carrying their narrow advantage confidently into the final quarter of the match.
England’s response, however, eventually arrived through the leadership of captain Harry Kane, who once again delivered when it mattered most. The Bayern Munich striker rose to head home the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, shifting the momentum decisively, before striking again in the 86th minute with a composed finish to complete a dramatic turnaround.
Both goals were expertly delivered by Anthony Gordon, whose creativity proved decisive in breaking down a stubborn defence.Despite their dominance for large stretches of the contest, DR Congo were ultimately undone by England’s late pressure and clinical edge in front of goal. Kane’s decisive contribution took his tournament tally to five goals, moving him within one of the competition’s joint leading scorers, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, underlining his continued influence on the global stage.
England now turn their attention to a high-profile Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico on 5 July 2026 at the Mexico City Stadium, a fixture that promises intensity and atmosphere in equal measure as the knockout stage gathers momentum.
Elsewhere in the competition, the Round of 32 action continues with Belgium set to face Senegal in Seattle, as the battle for the remaining places in the last 16 intensifies.
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