England to face Mexico in World Cup last 16 after beating DR Congo
Harry Kane scored twice to complete a comeback victory against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, securing England a place in the knockout stages against Mexico.
England has secured a place in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The result, confirmed on Wednesday, sets the stage for a high-profile showdown against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City.
England’s path to the knockout stage required a resilient second-half performance after falling behind early. The Democratic Republic of the Congo took a shock lead in the seventh minute through Brian Cipenga. Despite dominant spells, England struggled to find an equalizer until the 75th minute, when captain Harry Kane leveled the match with a header. Kane, who now has four headed goals in his World Cup career, struck again in the 86th minute to complete the comeback. The performance earned Kane his second man of the match award of the tournament, with England manager Thomas Tuchel comparing his captain to fellow tournament stars like Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, noting, They're all sharks. If they smell blood, they come and score.
Media additions
The match was not without controversy regarding individual contributions. Marcus Rashford was substituted on the hour mark after a performance described by journalist John Cross as really poor
and so off key.
Anthony Gordon, who replaced Rashford, provided the assists for both of Kane’s goals, prompting debate over England’s tactical approach on the left flank.
Mexico enters the matchup following their own 2-0 victory over Ecuador at Estadio Azteca, a win that ended a 40-year drought for the nation in knockout-stage games. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez provided the goals in a match that saw a late red card for Ecuador's Piero Hincapié. Ahead of the encounter, Tuchel identified a unique logistical obstacle for his squad: My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have.
The scheduling of the Monday morning match has sparked a national debate in the UK. With kickoff set for 1am, there have been calls for flexible working and school arrangements to accommodate supporters. While the Government has rejected a blanket extension for licensing hours, some officials and union leaders have pushed for more leniency. Thomas Tuchel publicly urged families to prioritize the game, stating, Write an excuse for school and let them watch football.
Recent World Cup 2026 Results
| Fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| England vs. DR Congo | 2-1 |
| Mexico vs. Ecuador | 2-0 |
| USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2-0 |
In other developments, the United States advanced to the last 16 after a 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in San Francisco, despite a late red card for Folarin Balogun. Meanwhile, Ecuador head coach Sebastian Beccacece stepped down from his position following his side's exit from the tournament.
As England turns its attention to Mexico City, the logistical challenges and the intensity of the home crowd remain at the forefront of the preparation. According to reporting by the Mirror, the potential path forward—which could include Brazil, Argentina, and Spain or France—is considered by analysts to be among the most difficult routes to a final in record. Harry Kane acknowledged the scale of the upcoming test, noting, Mexico, in Mexico, is as big as it gets maybe in the World Cup.
What to Watch Next
- England vs. Mexico: Monday, 1am (UK time).
- Technical updates: Following the record-breaking mobile traffic observed during England's win, network providers continue to monitor capacity as high-profile knockout matches proceed.
