Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Harry Kane scored twice to rescue England from the brink of a calamitous World Cup exit at the hands of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday as Belgium completed an extraordinary late comeback against Senegal to reach the last 16.
DR Congo had threatened to pull off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history after winger Brian Cipenga fired the lowly-ranked African qualifiers into a shock lead on seven minutes at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But Kane finally equalised with a 75th-minute header and then lashed home a superb winner 11 minutes later to secure a win that sends England into a dream last-16 clash with co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday.
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“We spoke about people having hero moments, it could be anyone in the team. A save from (goalkeeper Jordan) Pickford, a block from a defender, whoever it is. We have hero moments, and for me it was the day,” said a beaming Kane. England had entered Wednesday’s game with doubts swirling around their makeshift defence. And those fears came to fruition after just seven minutes, with Cipenga finding himself in acres of space on England’s vulnerable right flank before beating Pickford at the near post with a vicious strike.
England looked utterly discombobulated by the goal and although they dominated possession thereafter, were unable to find a breakthrough. Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi pulled off a string of remarkable saves to frustrate England, who also had a strong penalty claim just before half-time when Kane was upended in the area by Mpasi after being put through on goal.
With desperation rising, England manager Thomas Tuchel made a flurry of changes, and the introduction of new Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon on 60 minutes proved decisive. The former Newcastle winger provided the cross that allowed Kane to nod England level in the 75th minute and then supplied the pass for Kane’s 86th-minute winner.
“This team today did not accept a defeat as an outcome,” England boss Tuchel said. “It makes me very proud, because they did what was necessary. The going got tough, and they showed up, and we got a deserved win, even if it was a late one.”
Belgium meanwhile outdid England for drama in their last 32 clash against Senegal in Seattle, somehow clawing their way back from 2-0 down with four minutes remaining before grabbing a hotly disputed winner from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of extra time. Senegal looked poised to join Morocco as the other African side to advance to the last 16 after Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 24th minute at Lumen Field against an ageing Belgium.
Ismaila Sarr then doubled Senegal’s lead in the 51st minute with a superb strike and the Lions of Teranga appeared to be cruising into the next round as Belgium struggled. But the introduction of veteran striker Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a lifeline, with the 33-year-old Napoli forward pulling one back for the Red Devils in the 86th minute. Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans then headed Belgium level in the 89th minute to send it to extra time.
The game looked destined for penalties but when Tielemans went down under a challenge from Lamine Camara, referee Said Martinez awarded a penalty after a lengthy VAR review. Tielemans stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with aplomb to cap a stunning fightback and break Senegalese hearts.
Belgium will face the winners of Wednesday’s late game between World Cup co-hosts the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 16. Up to 30 million Americans are expected to tune in for the primetime game in the San Francisco Bay Area, as Christian Pulisic and his teammates try to achieve the nation’s first knockout win in almost a quarter of a century.
“Everyone knows in the back of our minds what this could do for this country,” said US midfielder Gio Reyna. “We feel the country rallying around us. We see the momentum it’s bringing to the sport in this country, just through the group stage. But we also understand if we make a nice run in this tournament, what it could really do for the sport.”
© 2024 AFP
