England 2-1 DR Congo - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

England 2-1 DR Congo - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

England arrived at the Atalanta Stadium as heavy favourites after topping their group unbeaten, though Tuchel’s side had at times lacked attacking fluency despite their status as tournament contenders.

DR Congo, meanwhile, reached the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, making history with their first World Cup win in 52 years and a standout draw against Portugal.

England fielded a strong XI featuring Bellingham, Kane, Rice, and Anderson, while Congo leaned on a full-strength, disciplined side built to frustrate and rely on the in-form Yoane Wissa. England held the edge in quality, but Congo had already proven they could disrupt expectations.

In the end, a Harry Kane brace proved decisive, sending England into a Round of 16 clash with hosts Mexico.

England 2-1 DR Congo - As It Happened

The game could not have started better for DR Congo who found an opener against the Three Lions after just 7 minutes. Captain Chancel Mbemba noticed a wide gap in the England defence between Djed Spence and Brian Cipenga. Finding Cipenga with a lofted through pass, the 28-year old winger slotted it past Pickford's near post with ease.

England experienced even more moments of untidiness in defence, giving the ball away carelessy. Again, Djed Spence was the aggravator. As the teams entered the first hydration break, the Atalanta Stadium was entrenched with jeers from the England fans who could not quite believe what they were seeing.

England had their best chance of the half when Declan Rice found Jude Bellingham in the box, teeing him up beautifully for a header 8 yards away from goal. Positioning himself brilliantly, Bellingham's header unfortunately swayed towards Mpasi-Nzau who made an astuste save.

Brian Cipenga began to cause even more mayhem down the left-hand side, turning Spence inside out twice before lofting a ball in from the by-line. England frantically cleared the ball, but it came evidently clear towards half-time that Congo were not resting on their morals. Instantly after this, Kane found space in the box, only to be brilliantly tackled by Mbemba. With the ball bobbling in the aftermath, Madueke unleashed a shot from the left that was blocked on the line by Wan-Bissaka. Congo just could not break.

England just could not escape. Bursting down the right flank, Wan-Bissaka released a brilliant ball across the face of goal into the path of Wissa. Unfortunately for the Magpies man, he couldn't get any power behind the strike.

Moments after, Kane ran up the other end of the field and had a penalty shout denied. England came again after this, with the Congolese goalkeeper Mpasi-Nzau pulling off yet another world-class save. It began to look as if Congo had a superhuman between the sticks, with Mpasi-Nzau denying Harry Kane once more.

Three major saves for the 31-year old in the first half, unbeatable.

The first half was one of the most end-to-end halves of football this World Cup has seen so far. England franticness, accompanied with Congolese resilience and intent, teed us up for the possibility of a blockbuster second half in Atalanta.

More of the same please.

Halftime Score: England 0-1 DR Congo

The Three Lions began the second half with intent, winning a succession of corners. A brillaint clearance from Masuaku stopped the first set piece from amounting to anything, and a poor delivery from Rice nullified the second. After a retake, the third corner found Sunderland's Noah Sadiki. Resilience from the Black Cats in blue.

England, however, kept pushing. Marcus Rashford broke down the left into the box, only to see his left-footed shot ripple the side netting. Rashford had another attempt shortly after, but saw his header fly over the bar. Two missed targets in two minutes for the 28-year old. It was not Rashford's day.

As the game passed the hour mark, England looked more deflated, and the Leopards pounced on this. Passing the ball with ease, and making excellent usage of Noah Sadiki's tenacity, Congo kept showing why they were deservedly leading the game.

Approaching the final hydration break, we saw subsitutions from both sides. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon entered the field for England, replacing Rashford and Madueke. It was clear Tuchel wanted more directness from his wingers, and fast.

The sides entered the final hydration with Congo narrowly in front, and the tide did not look like it was going to turn in England's favour any time soon. After the break, England either had to deliver, or go home.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock, England finally found their moment, and it was Harry Kane who found the back of the net, launching himself onto a brilliant cross from Anthony Gordon to bury the ball into the net with his head.

Congo were now in survival mode. Elliot Anderson executed a fantastic shot from 30 yards which shaved the cross bar, putting every Congo fan's hearts in their throats. Nonetheless. the Leopards attacked again, with Cipenga troubling Spence once more. The chance didn't result in anything, and DR Congo found themselves defending again. Yet they remained firm and resisted the English onslaught, but it looked like only a matter of time before they might crack.

Eventually, the Leopards' hopes were shattered. Devastasting the back of the net, Kane added power onto a shot from an obscure angle, sending the English fans into pandemonium. Kane's second goal today mean that he surpassed Pele in the all time World Cup top scorers.

A slender advantage, and not long to go, Tuchel's side looked home and dry. That was until the clock had 30 seconds to go and Bellingham gave away a free kick just outside the box.

One more chance for Congo to send it to extra-time and stay in the World Cup. Top scorer Yoanne Wissa stepped up with the nation on his shoulders. Delivering a beautiful curling effort, the ball soared over the bar, and it was all over in Atalanta.

Agony for Congo, a sigh of relief for England.

Full Time Score: England 2-1 DR Congo

England Player Ratings

• Jordan Pickford (7)
• Djed Spence (5)
• Ezri Konsa (6)
• Marc Guéhi (6)
• Nico O'Reilly (6)
• Elliot Anderson (6)
• Declan Rice (6)
• Noni Madueke (7)
• Jude Bellingham (6)
• Marcus Rashford (6)
• Harry Kane (9)
• Bukayo Saka (8)
• Anthony Gordon (6)
• Eberechi Eze (6)
• John Stones (6)

DR Congo Player Ratings

• Lionel Mpasi-Nzau (8)
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7)
• Chancel Mbemba (8)
• Axel Tuanzebe (7)
• Arthur Masuaku (7)
• Ngal Ayel Mukau (6)
• Samuel Moutoussamy (7)
• Noah Sadiki (7)
• Nathanaël Mbuku (6)
• Yoane Wissa (7)
• Brian Cipenga (7)
• Meschak Elia (6)
• Theo Bongonda (6)

Man Of The Match - Harry Kane

Kane delivers again. When needed most, he stepped up once again for England, bagging a brace out of a game where England looked well and truly out of ideas.

Kane is inevitable, and his two goals make things even more exciting at this World Cup's golden boot race.

Honourable Mention: Lionel Mpasi-Nzau

Bad Day In The Office - Djed Spence

Spence looked like a deer in headlights tonight, with the Tottenham man being spun around by Brian Cipenga for the majority of the game.

Tuchel will hope Reece James is fit for when the side face Mexico in the Round of 16.