England's 2-1 Win Over DR Congo Draws 16.3 Million BBC Viewers

Q: Now England's top World Cup scorer, can Harry Kane lead his team to victory at Mexico's daunting Azteca fortress?

Yes — but England will need far more than Kane’s finishing to win at the Azteca. Kane arrives in historic form after his late double against DR Congo sent England into the last 16 and made him England’s top World Cup scorer. His movement in the box, composure under pressure and record in knockout football give England a genuine route to victory, especially if the game is tight and chances are limited. The bigger issue is the setting. Estadio Azteca sits about 2,240 metres above sea level, where thinner air reduces endurance, slows recovery and changes how the ball travels. England have only a short turnaround and will reach Mexico City too late for meaningful acclimatisation. Thomas Tuchel has already admitted proper adaptation in that timeframe is impossible, so England are likely to have to manage the game more carefully, conserve energy and rely heavily on substitutions. Mexico also have a major structural advantage. They are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca and have been one of the tournament’s strongest teams, winning all four games and yet to concede. Their familiarity with the altitude, crowd and stadium rhythm makes this one of the hardest assignments in the competition. So Kane can lead England to victory, but probably not by carrying them alone. If England are to win, they will need Kane’s ruthlessness combined with disciplined defending, smart pacing and tactical control. His goals make an upset possible; the conditions make it far from likely.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2

16.3 million viewers watched at peak as England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1, with 14 million watching on average on BBC TV.
Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes after DR Congo struck in the seventh, turning a likely group-stage exit into a place in the last 16.
10.4 million additional streams were logged across iPlayer and BBC digital platforms, while the live coverage page drew more than 20 million views globally.
Monday's last-16 match against Mexico kicks off at 01:00 BST in Mexico City, creating an overnight viewing dilemma for UK families that coach Thomas Tuchel urged them to ignore.
The audience made the match the BBC's most-watched moment of 2026 so far, underscoring the World Cup's dominance across its TV, streaming and social platforms.