Harry Kane's late goals secure England's World Cup victory over DR Congo ahead of Mexico clash

Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to lead England to a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the World Cup last-32 match on Friday in Atlanta. This win sets up a challenging last-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico next week.

Kane's goals came after Brian Cipenga had initially put the DRC ahead, marking England's first comeback victory in a World Cup match after conceding the first goal since their triumph against West Germany in the 1966 final.

England's World Cup Journey Continues

During the match, England struggled in the first half, with an estimated 10,000 fans present to support the team. The game, which kicked off at 5pm UK time, saw England facing a resilient DRC side. Despite repeated attempts, they were thwarted by the DRC's goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi.

Finally, Kane found the net with just 15 minutes remaining, leveling the score before sealing the win in the dying moments of the match. This victory not only advances England in the tournament but also highlights Kane's exceptional performance, bringing his World Cup goal tally to 13, surpassing Gary Lineker's previous record.

Tuchel Calls for Support from Young Fans

Following the match, England's head coach Thomas Tuchel encouraged parents to allow their children to stay up late to watch the upcoming match against Mexico, which is scheduled for 1am UK time on Monday. “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football,” Tuchel stated. “The World Cup is every four years. Let them watch, there will be a big, big match in four days.”

As England prepares for the knockout stage, Tuchel emphasized the importance of fan support, especially from younger audiences, in building the team's morale.

Challenges Ahead for England in Mexico

England will face a formidable Mexican team that has never lost a World Cup match at the Estadio Azteca. With a significant altitude advantage of over 2,000 meters, Mexico remains undefeated in the tournament, having recently secured their fourth consecutive victory against Ecuador.

Tuchel acknowledged the challenges posed by the altitude but expressed optimism that England's training camp in Miami would help mitigate some of the physical disadvantages. He stated, “It is maybe one of the most beautiful and exciting fixtures that you can have against Mexico in the Azteca, and there will be a lot of obstacles waiting for us.”

• Harry Kane scored 2 goals against DRC.
• England's last-16 match is against Mexico.
• The match will kick off at 1am UK time.
• England's record at the World Cup includes 13 goals from Kane.

With the pressure mounting in knockout football, England must rise to the occasion and harness the support of their fans as they approach this pivotal match.