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Harry Kane rescued England from a seismic World Cup shock with two late goals to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and secure a place in the last 16.<\/p>\n
Aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament, Thomas Tuchel\u2019s men escaped humiliation and one of England\u2019s worst ever World Cup exits thanks to their talismanic captain after Brian Cipenga\u2019s early goal gave Congo an early lead.<\/p>\n
UFC 329: McGregor v Holloway 2 | SUN 12 JULY 11AM AEST | Conor McGregor is back. The Irish superstar takes on the always dangerous Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n But the Three Lions will need to improve for the daunting task of facing co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16 on Sunday.<\/p>\n Already England\u2019s all-time top goalscorer in the competition, Kane now has 13 World Cup goals and moves onto five for the tournament to remain in the star-studded battle for the Golden Boot.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a crazy game, obviously,\u201d said Kane.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you have to stay patient in these games.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir keeper definitely made some unbelievable saves in that first half. And it was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock, and our moments will come.\u201d<\/p>\n Defeat ended Congo\u2019s fairytale run on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.<\/p>\n The Leopards had never even won a point or scored a goal at the World Cup until a few weeks ago, but had one of the tournament favourites teetering on the brink of elimination.<\/p>\n Tuchel made two changes from victory over Panama as Declan Rice return in midfield, while Djed Spence came in at right-back with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both ruled out through injury.<\/p>\n The German coach\u2019s decision not to select more specialist right-back cover in a 26-man squad will face more scrutiny after Congo took the lead down that flank.<\/p>\n Spence was caught under Chancel Mbemba\u2019s cross as the ball fell for Cipenga. The Almeria winger\u2019s shot was low and hard but Jordan Pickford should still have kept it out at his near post.<\/p>\n The vast majority of the nearly 70,000 crowd decked out in England red and white were silenced, while Tuchel\u2019s players were visibly rattled.<\/p>\n Jude Bellingham was shown a yellow card for a lunge lunge and was then involved in a heated exchange with his coach during the mid-half hydration break.<\/p>\n The stoppage in play at least allowed Tuchel the chance to restore order. Bellingham\u2019s powerful header from Declan Rice\u2019s cross finally forced DR Congo \u2018keeper Lionel Mpasi into action.<\/p>\n Moments later Marcus Rashford\u2019s powerful effort was blocked on the line by London-born Aaron Wan Bissaka after Noni Madueke\u2019s jinking run opened up the Congo defence.<\/p>\n Yet it could have been even worse for England at the break.<\/p>\n Yoane Wissa\u2019s three goals in the group stage fired his country to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time and the Newcastle striker had a golden chance to double the DR Congo lead but hit the outside of the post from point-blank range.<\/p>\n At the other end, Kane was furious when he went down as he tried to round Mpasi but the referee refused to point to the spot.<\/p>\n Kane dragged both feet in an attempt to make contact with Mpasi and immediately appealed for a penalty.<\/p>\n But to the surprise of the commentators on Fox Sports \u2013 and studio pundits Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic \u2013 the referee indicated Kane had thrown himself head-first into the ground and waved the game on.<\/p>\n There was hope for England when it appeared the video assistant referee was taking a second look but the referee on the pitch \u2013 without bothering to take a look at a replay \u2013 declared the review over and no penalty.<\/p>\n England fans and pundits were furious. \u201cThat was a blatant penalty,\u201d chief Pommy whinger Piers Morgan tweeted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat chance have you got?\u201d added England legend Michael Owen. \u201cIf that\u2019s not a penalty on Kane I don\u2019t know what is. Absolute disgrace.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe should have had a penalty,\u201d England coach Thomas Tuchel added post-match.<\/p>\n Slow motion replays, however, appeared to vindicate the referee<\/p>\n \u201cHarry Kane only has himself to blame: by dragging his left foot into the onrushing goalkeeper, he created doubt in the referee\u2019s mind, and his penalty claim was waved away,\u201d former Premier League referee Graham Scott told The Athletic.<\/p>\n \u201cOn first viewing, England fans \u2013 including me \u2013 were no doubt screaming \u2018penalty\u2019 at their TV screens, and many referees would have agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a good case for one, as goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi undoubtedly makes significant contact with Kane, and there is no way the VAR would have recommended a review had Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh pointed to the spot.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, Kane goes to great lengths to ensure that contact occurs, plants both feet on the ground and falls theatrically \u2013 all clues to the referee that the England striker was having him on. Fair play to Makhadmeh for standing strong.<\/p>\n \u201cHad Kane carried on running as normal, he may have been brought down anyway \u2013 and earned the penalty he craved \u2013 or he might have reached the ball and rolled it into the empty net. I wish he had.\u201d<\/p>\n Le Harve stopper Mpasi\u2019s inspired afternoon continued as he flew to his right to parry another bullet header from Bellingham and then denied Kane from a corner with the last action of the first half.<\/p>\n After a bright start to the second period, England were beginning to run out of ideas until Tuchel unloaded his offensive weapons off the bench.<\/p>\n Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze were sent on by Tuchel in search of an equaliser.<\/p>\n And it was new Barcelona signing Gordon who provided the cross as Kane finally found a way past Mpasi with a downward header 15 minutes from time.<\/p>\n Gordon also got the assist for the 86th minute winner, but Kane did the hard work as he rifled a powerful drive into the roof of the net for his 84th international goal.<\/p>\n Thursday July 2\u2019s World Cup schedule<\/b><\/p>\n Match 80 \u2013 England defeats DR Congo 2-1<\/a> – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta<\/p>\n Match 82 \u2013 Belgium vs Senegal<\/a> – 6am AEST, Lumen Field, Seattle<\/p>\n Match 81 \u2013 USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a> – 10am AEST, Levi\u2019s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)<\/p>\n Follow live updates in the blog below, and tap here if you can\u2019t see it<\/a>!<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n