Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Harry Kane scored twice to rescue England from the brink of a humiliating World Cup last-32 exit on Wednesday with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta. 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.
“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.
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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.”
In other games on Wednesday, the United States will attempt to continue their progress in the tournament when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California with a place in the last 16 at stake. 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.”
For all their improvement, the US still have just one knockout win in World Cup history. That 2-0 victory over Mexico at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea took place in the middle of the night for most Americans. By contrast, the Bosnia game kicks off at 5.00pm local — 8.00pm on the East Coast — and comes after US group games smashed TV ratings records, with 25 million watching the co-hosts’ opener against Paraguay. The 30 million figure predicted by Fox Sports analyst Michael Mulvihill would put the Bosnia match above nearly every regular-season game in the stratospherically popular NFL, and comfortably clear of baseball’s World Series and basketball’s NBA Finals.
In Wednesday’s other last 32 game, Senegal will aim to provide another highpoint for Africa’s contingent when they face Belgium in Seattle. On Tuesday, France underscored their status as favourites with a 3-0 defeat of Sweden while Norway also reached the last 16 with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. Mexico set up their date with England after defeating Ecuador 2-0 in Mexico City.
© 2024 AFP
