Result England vs DR Congo, Wednesday, 1 July 2026, World Cup Round of 32

Harry Kane netted two goals in the second half, guiding England to a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against DR Congo in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. This win at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta propels England into the Round of 16,.  England will take on co-host Mexico on Sunday, July 5.  It will be held at the Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.

In a stunning turn of events, DR Congo took the lead against England with forward Brian Cipenga scoring in the 7th minute. Cipenga connected with a cross from Chancel Mbemba on the left and sent a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at his near post. This unexpected start is a shock for England, but a wonderful occasion for DR Congo, as it marks Cipenga's first-ever international goal.

Harry Kane netted England's equalizer in the 74th minute, leveling the score after Brian Cipenga's early goal for DR Congo in their Round of 32 match. Earlier in the first half, Kane was also denied a contentious penalty.   The penalty controversy: Kane was brought down in the box by Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau. The referee initially awarded a free kick to DR Congo, and a VAR review confirmed this decision, leaving the English side feeling frustrated.

In the 86th minute, Captain Harry Kane secured the win and ensured qualification! Kane surpassed Pelé's World Cup all-time scoring record by netting his 13th World Cup goal, skillfully receiving the ball in the penalty area and curling a breathtaking shot into the top corner.

 

FIFA Ranking

Currently, England is ranked No. 4 in the world, while DR Congo holds the No. 46 spot. This means there is a significant difference of 37 places between the two nations, showcasing a considerable disparity in their international rankings and tournament experience.

 

How did they reach the Round of 32?

England: They finished at the top of Group L with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, a 0-0 draw against Ghana, and a 2-0 win over Panama.

DR Congo: They advanced to the knockout stage by earning 4 points in Group K, with a 1-1 draw against Portugal, a 1-0 defeat to Colombia, and a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.

 

👉   No Serie A players, neither in the DR Congo National team, nor the England team

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams.

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings.

 

🏴 England 0 - 1 DR Congo 🇨🇩

⚽️ In the 7th minute, Brian Cipenga scored. The Congo team started with a bang. The English defense was caught off guard, leaving Cipenga completely unmarked in the box. Chancel Mbemba made a precise switch that went past England's right-back Djed Spence, giving Cipenga the space he needed. He cut in on his right foot and struck past English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at the near post. This marks his first international goal!



 



 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England 1 - 1 DR Congo 🇨🇩

⚽️ In the 75th minute, England's captain Harry Kane scored with a header. DR Congo made a critical mistake by not marking Kane in the area. Substitute Gordon delivered a lofted ball from the left, allowing Kane to break free and nod it past the goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner. Despite Lionel Mpasi's attempt to save it, he was unable to stop the goal.





 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England 2 - 1 DR Congo 🇨🇩

⚽️ In the 86th minute, Captain Harry Kane sealed the deal! After Mpasi saved Bellingham's shot, the ball fell to Gordon, who set up Kane: he created space and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot under the crossbar, unstoppable. Fantastic!



 



 

 



 



 

   England World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)


• Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)


• Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)


• Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

   DR Congo World Cup 2026 Squad: 

• Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)


• Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)


• Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)


• Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

 



 

England official starting lineup against DR Congo

Photo via x.com/England

 



 

DR Congo official starting lineup against England

Photo via x.com/fecofa_kinshasa

 



 



 



 

 



 



 

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World Cup 2026 Round of 32

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿  England 2 - 1 DR Congo   🇨🇩

Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Venue: Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Kick-off: 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT

Referee: Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh JOR
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammad Alkalaf JOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Alroalle JOR
Fourth Official: Khalid Alturais KSA
Reserve AR: Mohammed Alabakry KSA
Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri QAT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Mohammed Obaid Khadim UAE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Joe Dickerson USA

⚽️   Goals:  7' Brian Cipenga (C), 75',  86' Harry Kane (E)

🟨   Yellow Cards:  19' Jude Bellingham (E), 27' Noah Sadiki (C)

✅ Official lineups - Tabellino:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿   England starting lineup: Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane.

Substitutes: Ollie Watkins, Jarell Quansah, Trevoh Chalobah, John Stones, Eberechi Eze, James Trafford, Jordan Henderson, Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Reece James, Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Dean Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Ivan Toney.

🇨🇩   DR Congo starting lineup: Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngal'ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki; Nathanaël Mbuku, Yoane Wissa, Brian Cipenga.

Substitutes: Matthieu Epolo, Dylan Batubinsika, Fiston Mayele, Gaël Kakuta, Charles Pickel, Cédric Bakambu, Gédéon Kalulu, Théo Bongonda, Simon Banza, Timothy Fayulu, Meschack Elia, Joris Kayembe, Aaron Tshibola, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi.



 

Click the video to watch England 2 - 1 DR Congo highlights on Wednesday, 1 July 2026