England advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Harry Kane scoring twice in the closing stages to turn the match around. The win sets up a meeting with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, where the co-hosts have gone unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at altitude.
First-half struggles and tactical adjustments
DR Congo took a surprise lead in the first half, exposing England's defensive vulnerabilities. Anthony Barry, Thomas Tuchel's assistant, delivered a half-time message urging calm: "For us now, it's absolutely not a time to panic." He stressed the need for discipline, saying it was "not a time to play gung-ho football." However, a BBC stat revealed that England had not won a World Cup match after conceding first since the 1966 final against West Germany, adding to the tension.
The first half also showcased the talents of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Croydon-born full-back playing for DR Congo, who impressed against his country of birth. His performance highlighted England's ongoing right-back concerns.
Kane's late heroics seal victory
Harry Kane changed the narrative with a late double, turning a potential repeat of the Iceland 2016 upset into a victory reminiscent of the Slovakia 2024 comeback. Kane's goals marked his 11th and 12th knockout-stage goals in five major tournaments, underlining his importance. Thomas Tuchel, speaking about Kane and other elite strikers, said: "They're all sharks. If they smell blood, they come and score."
This win was England's 10th knockout victory at a major tournament in the last eight years, compared to just six in the previous 40 years, demonstrating the team's improved resilience under pressure.
Tuchel calls for support ahead of Mexico clash
Tuchel urged fans, especially children, to stay up and watch the match against Mexico, which kicks off in the early hours of Monday BST. "Let them watch. There will be a big, big match in four days and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children," he said. England will face a formidable challenge at the Azteca, where Mexico have not lost a World Cup game in 10 attempts at altitude.
Other last-32 matches included Spain's 3-0 win over Austria, Portugal's 1-0 extra-time victory against Croatia, and Switzerland's 3-2 triumph over Algeria.
Belgium's Garcia praises aggression after comeback
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia applauded his team's fighting spirit after a 3-2 extra-time win over Senegal, despite on-field arguments. "I don't know why they were arguing but I like that – we need that kind of grit on the pitch," Garcia said. "We're a better team if we keep this up."
In other news, fans expressed mixed emotions. One ex-pat Sassenach in Edinburgh lamented Kane's winner depriving locals of a potential bank holiday, while a US fan requested the return of exclamation points after a statement win.
