England advance to last 16 as Harry Kane surpasses Pelé’s World Cup goal tally

By Sanjay Menon — 1 July 2026 — 3 min read

Kane’s decisive performance

England secured their place in the World Cup last 16, largely due to a two-goal performance from captain Harry Kane against DR Congo. The match saw England come from behind, with Kane scoring in the 75th and 86th minutes to seal the victory. This result means England will now face Mexico in the next stage of the tournament.

Kane’s goals were crucial, particularly his second, which found the top corner of the net from inside the box, catching the DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi by surprise. His efforts in this match have led to discussions about his status among the world’s elite players, with some suggesting he is now a contender for the Ballon D’Or.

Following his two goals, Kane has now accumulated 13 World Cup goals, a tally that places him above Pelé in the all-time scoring charts for the tournament. This achievement highlights his significant impact on the international stage for England.

Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, praised Kane’s ability to decide difficult matches. Tuchel noted that Kane consistently meets high expectations, especially in close contests. This sentiment was echoed by others, who highlighted Kane’s role as a match-winner for the team.

Despite his decisive contributions, Kane had a relatively quiet game by his usual standards, particularly in the first half. He recorded only five touches in the opening 35 minutes, with his first shot on goal coming after 34 minutes. However, he still managed to deliver the crucial moments needed for England to win.

Team adjustments and challenges

The match against DR Congo was not without its difficulties for England. The team fell behind early, marking the sixth consecutive knockout match in a major tournament where they conceded the opening goal. This pattern has often seen England rely on individual brilliance to recover.

Tuchel made several tactical adjustments during the game to try and turn the tide. These changes included bringing on substitutes such as Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon for Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford. Additionally, Declan Rice was moved to right-back after Djed Spence was substituted, with Eberechi Eze also introduced to add more attacking unpredictability.

The equalising goal, which arrived five minutes after some of Tuchel’s changes, involved Eze and Rice. Rice delivered a cross from the byline to Gordon, who then set up Kane for a header past Mpasi. Gordon later provided another assist for Kane’s winning goal in the 86th minute, finishing the match with two assists.

Despite the win, concerns remain about England’s overall performance. The team has not delivered a complete performance in any of their four matches so far in the tournament. There have been instances of the team appearing tired, fractious, and unbalanced, leading to questions about their readiness for tougher challenges.

During the match, there were visible signs of frustration among the players. Jude Bellingham was seen shouting towards the England bench and received a booking. Reece James was observed speaking with Bellingham during a hydration break, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford urged his teammates to calm down after a misplaced pass.

The defensive line also showed vulnerabilities, with Brian Cipenga scoring for DR Congo after exploiting gaps in England’s defence. The absence of players like Tino Livramento, who has returned home, and injuries to Jarell Quansah and James, have further complicated the defensive situation for England.

England’s next fixture is against Mexico at the Azteca on Sunday night.

Source: skysports.com