England secured their place in the World Cup round of 16 after a challenging encounter against DR Congo in Atlanta. The match saw Harry Kane score two crucial goals, including a late winner, to overcome a scare and ensure England’s advancement in the tournament. The victory came after DR Congo initially took the lead, pushing one of the tournament favourites to their limits.
The opening goal for DR Congo came from Brian Cipenga, who capitalised on a deep cross to beat Jordan Pickford at his near post. This early strike sent Congolese supporters into celebration and put England under significant pressure. Despite England creating several opportunities, including a header from Jude Bellingham and a close-range effort from Marcus Rashford, Lionel Mpasi, DR Congo‘s goalkeeper, made a series of impressive saves to maintain his team’s slender lead.
England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, reportedly addressed the team during a hydration break, which seemed to help settle their nerves. However, Mpasi continued to be a formidable presence, denying England multiple times. DR Congo even had an opportunity to double their advantage before half-time when Yoane Wissa hit the post.
A controversial moment occurred when Harry Kane went down in the box under minimal contact from Mpasi. The referee, Adham Makhadmeh, dismissed the penalty appeal, and VAR concurred, judging that Kane had exaggerated the fall, despite England’s protests. This decision was one of several VAR incidents during the matchday that drew scrutiny, with some observers noting that VAR decisions can sometimes detract from the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.
As the second half progressed, England intensified their efforts to find an equaliser. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute when Kane met a floated cross from Anthony Gordon and guided his header past Mpasi, who, after a night of strong defence, reacted a fraction too late. This goal brought England back into the game and shifted the momentum.
Kane then delivered the decisive blow with less than five minutes remaining in regulation time. He took a single touch to move the ball away from Axel Tuanzebe before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that found the back of the net. This second goal secured a 2-1 comeback victory for England, preventing what would have been a significant upset in the tournament.
Anthony Gordon, who provided both assists for Kane‘s goals, praised the striker after the match, comparing him to Lionel Messi. Gordon highlighted Kane’s elite level of play and consistency, noting that his current season has only been surpassed by Messi’s achievements. Gordon, who recently joined Barcelona from Newcastle, expressed his admiration for Kane’s dedication and work ethic, stating that being around such a player is an inspiration.
Reports indicate that Barcelona had inquired about Kane during the World Cup, especially with his contract set to expire next year. However, it has been reported that Kane is expected to remain at Bayern and sign a new contract, with Barcelona reportedly shifting their focus to Julian Alvarez instead.
The match also highlighted ongoing discussions about the role of VAR in football. Beyond the denied penalty for Kane, other contentious decisions included a penalty awarded to Belgium in the 125th minute against an opponent, which many believed involved initial contact outside the box. Additionally, a red card issued to Balogun was considered by some to be odd, with the slow-motion replay potentially exaggerating the severity of the tackle, leading to a mandatory red card under FIFA bureaucracy once reviewed by VAR.
England’s next challenge will be against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca stadium. This victory against DR Congo, marked by Harry Kane‘s heroics, will be remembered as a crucial moment in England’s World Cup campaign, echoing famous goals from past tournaments.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
