England have come from behind to beat DR Congo and advance into the last 16, as Harry Kane scored a brace.
Captain Kane answered back after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo the lead in the opening seven minutes.
England’s talisman stepped up when it mattered, with two fabulous goals to send the Three Lions into the next round.
Lionnel Mpasi had a brilliant performance for DR Congo, but it was not enough as England advanced to the next round.
England came from behind to beat DR Congo
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Harry Kane scored a brace for the Three Lions | REUTERS
There were plenty of nerves on the pitch for the Three Lions, with several pieces of sloppy play to begin with.
It led to a horrendous start for England, as Cipenga picked up the ball in acres of space on the left-hand side.
He was the most free man in all of Atlanta, cutting inside and smashing past Jordan Pickford at his near post.
Not long after, Jude Bellingham’s loose pass to Declan Rice saw the Real Madrid star pick up a yellow card in the opening 20 minutes, treading on eggshells for the remaining 70.
England’s captain stepped up when it mattered most
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England fans are in full voice in Atlanta as the Three Lions come from behind
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After the first hydration break, Djed Spence showed a spark of life, driving forward and being brought down by Noah Sadiki, who went into the referee’s book.
Bellingham went close not long after, after Rice whipped in a great delivery, nodding goalwards by England’s No 10, but it was well-saved by Mpasi.
Marcus Rashford was next, seeing the ball fall to him at the far post but saw his strike cleared off the line by his former club teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Kane had a brilliant chance right at the death of the first half, but once again Mpasi made a brilliant save to deny England’s talisman.
Mpasi denied England on numerous occasions throughout the game
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The Three Lions came out with purpose in the second half, taking the game to DR Congo as they continued to look for a response.
The introductions of Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon gave England fans some hope, who were frustrated by the DR Congo defence.
Gordon’s introduction proved brilliant, floating in a great delivery which was headed home by Kane to put England level.
Eleven minutes later, Kane made it two, smashing a fantastic strike into the top-right corner, past a helpless Mpasi.
England dug deep to find a way past DR Congo
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There was no chance at all for the DR Congo goalkeeper, whose heroics had no chance denying the England skipper.
John Stones come on in extra time, but the Three Lions did have one small scare right at the end.
Yoane Wissa had a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, but hit his strike over the bar.
England through to the next round, getting the job done in Atlanta, with Mexico up next.
Thomas Tuchel was full of smiles at full time
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Thomas Tuchel was pleased with the way his side responded after going 1-0 down in the first half.
“If everyone gets what they like, we get an early goal, another goal, an easy afternoon. You have to deal with each situation that comes. They got a very early goal.
“After the water break, we had four or five opportunities.
“The penalty situation didn’t go in our favour. We kept knocking, knocking and knocking. The reaction and belief is one of a kind. We found a way to win. Well deserved,” he told the BBC.
