England’s ahead #09 Harry Kane celebrates after profitable the 2026 World Cup spherical of 32 match soccer between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo on the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 1, 2026. — AFP
LOS ANGELES: Harry Kane scored twice to rescue England from the brink of a calamitous World Cup exit as co-hosts the USA swept into the final 16 with victory of their primetime conflict in opposition to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
One other breathless day of World Cup motion kicked off with England captain Kane scoring twice within the final quarter-hour to assist the Three Lions snatch a 2-1 win in opposition to the Democratic Republic of Congo at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Belgium in the meantime pulled off an unimaginable comeback in opposition to Senegal, recovering from a 2-0 deficit with 4 minutes of regular time remaining to win 3-2 after extra-time in Seattle.
The Belgians will now play the USA within the final 16 subsequent week after the hosts overcame the sending off of star striker Folarin Balogun to defeat Bosnia 2-0 in Santa Clara, California.
England, in the meantime, at the moment are making ready for a frightening journey to tackle Mexico on the Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis on Sunday following Kane’s late present in Atlanta.
DR Congo had threatened to drag off one of many best upsets in World Cup historical past after winger Brian Cipenga fired the Leopards forward within the seventh minute.
However Kane equalised with a Seventy fifth-minute header after which lashed dwelling an outstanding winner 11 minutes later to safe the win.
“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,” stated a beaming Kane.
England supervisor Thomas Tuchel stated the win was testomony to his group’s never-say-die strategy.
“This team today did not accept a defeat as an outcome,” England boss Tuchel stated. “It makes me very proud, because they did what was necessary.
“The going received robust, they usually confirmed up, and we received a deserved win, even when it was a late one.”
Historical past for USA
The USA will now flip their consideration to subsequent Monday’s date with Belgium in Seattle after the People surged previous Bosnia at Levi’s Stadium, the house of the San Francisco 49ers.
Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the USA celebrates victory after the Fifa World Cup 2026 Spherical of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Space Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California, US. — AFP
The two-0 win was the USA’s first World Cup knockout victory in practically a quarter-century and solely their second ever, with an estimated 30 million People anticipated to tune in for the conflict.
However the victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s facet was bittersweet following the dismissal of star striker Balogun.
Balogun had despatched the house crowd into raptures on the stroke of half-time after firing the People into the lead after a dominant first half.
However Balogun was dismissed early within the second half for an inadvertent stamp on Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic.
However even with the US compelled right into a 10-man rearguard motion, Malik Tillman curled in a free kick to safe the win.
“We had to dig deep for that one,” USA ahead Christian Pulisic stated.
“It didn’t go exactly to plan with the red but that shows what a good team we are.”
