90+ 6 FINAL 

86'HARRY KANE BRACE! DRAMATIC COMEBACK FOR ENGLAND! The captain delivers once again! Following another assist from Gordon, the English striker strikes at the perfect moment to turn the game around in the dying minutes. What a display by the Three Lions' number 9 to avoid extra time!

75'GOAL FOR ENGLAND! HARRY KANE EQUALIZES! The captain steps up when his team needs him most! Gordon delivered a precise cross into the heart of the box, which the English striker met with a clinical header. Mpasi got a hand to it, but couldn't generate enough power to keep it out of the net. It had to be him—the skipper never misses!

67' COOLING BREAK

63' SO CLOSE TO A SECOND! The Congo threatens England once again with a double warning: first Cipenga and then Mbuku attempt shots that sail just over the crossbar of Pickford’s goal. The "Leopards" keep up the pressure!

58' Rashford sends in a cross that drifts across the box without finding a teammate. Frustration is beginning to set in for the English, as the clock ticks down and Mpasi remains an impenetrable wall in goal.

HALF-TIME

45'+6' A providential save! Harry Kane connects with a point-blank strike from the right following a pinpoint cross from Declan Rice, but the goalkeeper reacts just in time to deflect the ball near his right post. England comes so close to an equalizer right before the break!

42' UNBELIEVABLE, OFF THE POST! DR CONGO IS INCHES AWAY FROM A SECOND! What a golden opportunity the Congolese side has just missed! Wan-Bissaka sent a precise cross from the right flank that was slightly deflected by O'Reilly; the ball fell perfectly for Wissa, who fired a powerful shot that rattled the woodwork. England survives a miracle!

37' STAT: England, today’s opponent of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remains unbeaten in nine matches against African teams in the FIFA World Cup (5 wins, 4 draws). Notably, two of those nine meetings took place in the knockout stages: against Cameroon in 1990 (3-2) and Senegal in 2022 (3-0). A historical record that commands respect.

22' BREAK

15' Bellingham delivers a measured cross from the edge of the area looking for the back post; the ball drifts across the box, but Kane fails to connect with the delivery.

7' Goal for the Democratic Republic of the Congo! The "Leopards" strike early. Brian Cipenga breaks the deadlock with a low, clinical finish into the bottom-left corner after latching onto an excellent assist from Chancel Mbemba. England is on the ropes right from the start!

3' Rashford plays a long ball looking to break through the Congolese defensive line, but the play fizzles out without posing any danger to the opponent's goal.

LINE UP RD CONGO

LINE UP ENGLAND

England arrives as one of the favorites to win the title. The team led by Thomas Tuchel finished as leaders of Group L with seven points after beating Croatia (4-2), drawing goalless with Ghana, and defeating Panama 2-0. Although the English have shown defensive solidity and possess a roster full of talent, their collective performance still raises some doubts.

On the other side will be a Democratic Republic of the Congo side that has already made history. The "Leopards" advanced to a World Cup knockout round for the first time after qualifying as one of the best third-place teams from Group K.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the knockout stage with an unprecedented clash between England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who will face each other this Wednesday, July 1, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for a spot in the Round of 16.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live and for free on YouTube