England 2-0 DR Congo: Kane and Bellingham Send Three Lions into Last 16

Match Details

• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 32
• Date: 2nd July 2026
• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Final Score: England 2 - 0 DR Congo
• Half Time: England 0 - 0 DR Congo
• Referee: Facundo Tello

Match Stats & Key Metrics

	England	DR Congo
Score	2	0
Half Time	0	0
Goalscorers	Kane, Bellingham	-

The Story of the Match

ENGLAND needed patience more than fireworks to see off a disciplined DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham scoring either side of the hour to book a Round of 16 date with co-hosts Mexico. Thomas Tuchel's side had topped Group L unbeaten but found the Congolese, marshalled superbly by captain Chancel Mbemba, a far tougher obstacle than the group stage draw had suggested.

DR Congo, appearing in only their second World Cup finals, set up in a deep block and looked to hit England on the counter through the pace of Silas Katompa Mvumpa and Theo Bongonda. Yoane Wissa, a threat all tournament, twice tested Jordan Pickford in the first half with low drives from the edge of the area, and the goalkeeper was required to be alert to keep the scoreline blank at the interval.

England's football grew sharper after the restart. Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo began to dictate the tempo through midfield, and the breakthrough arrived just after the hour when Bukayo Saka's cutback was turned home first time by Kane from eight yards, his third goal of the tournament. DR Congo pushed for an immediate response and Cedric Bakambu should have done better with a header from a corner, but England held firm.

The result was made safe with fifteen minutes remaining when Bellingham collected on the edge of the box, drove past two challenges and curled a fine finish beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi into the far corner, a strike that would not have looked out of place in the Bernabeu. DR Congo's brave tournament run ended there, but they leave North America with credit after a run that took them beyond the group stage for the first time.

England players celebrate during the Round of 32 win over DR Congo. Photo: Steph Chambers - FIFA, via Getty Images

Player Ratings

Player	Rating
Jordan Pickford	7
Reece James	6
John Stones	7
Marc Guehi	6
Nico O'Reilly	6
Declan Rice	7
Kobbie Mainoo	7
Bukayo Saka	8
Jude Bellingham	9
Harry Kane	8
Ollie Watkins	6

Author's Standout Players

• Jude Bellingham (England) - Grew into the game after a quiet first half and produced the standout moment of the match, driving beyond two defenders to curl in a superb second goal.
• Harry Kane (England) - Made the breakthrough count with a clinical first-time finish from Saka's cutback, his third goal of the tournament.
• Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo) - Marshalled a well-drilled defence and led by example as DR Congo's captain in a performance that belied their underdog status.
• Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) - The Brentford forward caused England problems throughout and twice forced good saves from Pickford in the first half.

Top photo: England celebrate reaching the Round of 16. Photo: Steph Chambers - FIFA, via Getty Images