Harry Kane scored a brilliant double to inspire England to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over DR Congo and set up a World Cup last-16 showdown with co-hosts Mexico.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were given a huge scare by DR Congo, who scored through Brian Cipenga seven minutes into the first World Cup knockout game in their history, but Kane came to the rescue.
After heading in substitute Anthony Gordon’s cross to bring England level with a quarter of an hour remaining, Kane rifled home a stunning 86th-minute winner to complete the comeback.
The double takes Kane above Brazil legend Pele on 13 goals at World Cups and ensures England will face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16, kicking off at 1am (BST) on Monday.
England were made to work hard for the victory, with Cipenga capitalising on defensive disarray to beat Jordan Pickford at his near post for the shock opener before DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made a string of saves to keep England at bay at the other end.
Jude Bellingham was thwarted on three occasions, while Marcus Rashford had a shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, leaving it to Kane to make the breakthrough having earlier been controversially denied a penalty after going to ground following contact from Mpasi inside the box.
England laboured for long periods against their disciplined opponent, but Tuchel’s changes made a difference and Kane’s emphatic winner, fired into the roof of the net after finding space amid a crowd of defenders, kept their World Cup dream alive.
