With two goals from Harry Kane in the last 15 minutes, England turned the tables and defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1, qualifying for the World Cup’s last 16. The match took place in Atlanta and the “Three Lions” now turn their attention to an even more difficult task, against Mexico (6/7, 03:00).

It wasn’t until the 7th minute of the match that the biggest surprise of the tournament began to emerge, but it remained incomplete. A cross to the left side of the England area created a huge gap, as there was no defender there, except for Chipenga, who opened the scoring with a powerful shot.

The match continued with a “rhapsody” by Bassi with incredible saves, but also a phase that – as the match unfolded – proved to be the most decisive. In the 42nd minute, Whisa was first to the ball and curled it through the small area, Pickford was immobilized, but the ball hit his left post and went out. 

The English saw Rashford in the 28th minute, in a goal undefended by a goalkeeper, shoot but be blocked on the line by Tuanzebe, while Bassi seemed invincible to the efforts of Bellingham and Kane (both in half-time injury time), while he also had some -less difficult- interventions in the second half. 

And while the… snakes had begun to encircle Tuchel’s team, the solution came from the usual suspect. In the 75th minute, Gordon, who had come on as a substitute, crossed from the left and Harry Kane headed the ball into the net. This amazing scorer, perhaps the top scorer of the 21st century, did not stop there.

In the 86th minute, he found a way out of a very difficult position, with a right-footed shot, to make the final 2-1 with his 72nd goal of the season. Millions of English fans breathed a sigh of relief, but Tuchel’s team will have to change a lot in view of the match against Mexico in a week at the “Azteca”.

Referee: Adam Mahadmeh (Jordan)

Yellow: Bellingham – Santiki

The compositions of the two teams:

ENGLAND (Thomas Tuchel): Pickford, Konsa, O’Reilly, Geahi, Spence (71′ Eze), Rice (90+1′ Stones), Anderson, Bellingham, Kane, Rashford (60′ Gordon), Mandweke (60′ Saka).

DR CONGO (Sebastien December): Bashi, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Beba, Mazouaku (89′ G. Kayebe), Mukau (76′ M. Kayebe), Ebuku, Mutousami (89′ Magele), Sadiki, Chipenga (76′ Bongonda), Wisha