Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 1
Harry Kane Fires England Into Last 16 With 2 Late Goals as Mexico Awaits
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 1

Harry Kane Fires England Into Last 16 With 2 Late Goals as Mexico Awaits

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 1

Summary

  • Harry Kane struck in the 75th and 86th minutes to turn a 1-0 deficit into England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo, rescuing a World Cup campaign that had been sliding toward a major upset.
  • Anthony Gordon helped spark the comeback with involvement in both goals, while DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had kept England at bay with a string of saves before Kane finally broke through.
  • The brace sent Thomas Tuchel’s side into a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico, easing immediate pressure on a coach who faced heavy scrutiny after England’s poor display.
  • Kane now has 5 goals at this World Cup, 13 in tournament history and 84 for England, moving above Pele on the World Cup list and level with Ferenc Puskas on all-time international goals.
  • England’s reward is a tougher test at the Azteca, where Mexico have lost only 2 of their last 88 competitive home games and are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches.

Insights

Is FIFA's controversial VAR protocol enabling the biggest World Cup upsets in history?
How did one university's algorithm predict DR Congo's upset potential when all the experts were wrong?
Fueled by a war back home, can DR Congo's diaspora stars complete a historic World Cup miracle?