England have dramatically booked a place in the last 16 of the World Cup after 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in Atlanta.
An early goal from Congo’s Brian Cipenga was enough to separate the sides at half-time, but Harry Kane answered England fans’ prayers with two goals late on, rescuing Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Tuchel made three changes to his starting line-up, with Djed Spence, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke replacing Jarell Quansah, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka.
England were looking for a stress-free afternoon, having already seen European heavyweights Germany and Netherlands crash out at this stage.
Our chief reporter, John Cross, and football reporter Ryan Taylor are inside Atlanta Stadium to bring you the latest news and information.
Stay tuned as Mirror Football brings you reaction to tonight’s clash.
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A heartwarming moment between England’s players and fans, as they sing Wonderwall together.
It was so close to being very different.
Nathan RidleyToday19:07 BST
Thierry Henry on Fox Spors: “You know what, I like to stay in my lane, and I’m going to respect the rules of your country. But from now I’m going to call him Sir Harry Kane.”Because what he has done today…you guys were looking for answers. He by himself was the answer.”And I’m not just talking about the goals, because you know the goals are going to go there. In the first half, Zlatan picked it up, he ran back to be in the back four to stop a counter to go on the other side, to start a counter and almost finish it.”I don’t even know what to say any more about Harry Kane. And you know, I’m not too much, with the Tottenham thing with Arsenal…but from now on, I’m going to call him Sir Harry Kane.”
Nathan RidleyToday19:05 BST
On a night where England needed their leader to step up, Harry Kane did precisely that as the Three Lions booked themselves a last 16 date with Mexico.
Thomas Tuchel’s men have vowed that performances will improve after a group stage where they eased through without really impressing.
But for 75 minutes in Atlanta, there was real worry that they could be heading home.
Captain Kane is the hero again(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Jordan Pickford 4 – Should not have been at the near post. A poor World Cup overall.
Djed Spence 4 – He struggled in a struggling team all season… and has struggled here. No surprise.
Ezri Konsa 5 – Went unwittingly close to equalising with a deflected effort. Exposed defensively.
Marc Guehi 5 = He and Konsa just did not look on the same wavelength. England’s defence looked vulnerable.
Nico O’Reilly 5 – Just did not overlap, get forward or play anywhere near his level for Man City.
Declan Rice 7 – Got so much better when he switched to right back. Yes, really. Did such a big job.
Elliot Anderson 6 – For an hour, he really struggled and then got better when Rice went to right back and got more space.
Noni Madueke 4 – Got hooked after an hour when he offered little in way of cover or end product. Poor.
Jude Bellingham 7 – Twice denied from headers and another effort produced a stunning save. Tried so hard.
Marcus Rashford 5 – Was substituted for Gordon as he did not offer enough. Again, failed from the start.
Harry Kane 7 – Stepped up when England needed him most. Captain Marvel rescued England with two goals.
John CrossToday19:01 BST
Mexico await England in the round of 16, to be played in Mexico City.
Kick-off is 1am on Monday.
Nathan RidleyToday19:00 BST
Phew!
England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup thanks to a Harry Kane-inspired turnaround.
His spectacular second-half double has rescued the Three Lions, who were facing a humiliating exit.
Instead, their journey continues.
Reaction to come.
(Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
That should be that.
Nathan RidleyToday18:58 BST
Bellingham, on a yellow card, brings down Yoane Wissa on the edge of the penalty area.
Nathan RidleyToday18:57 BST
England are managing this well…
For now.
Nathan RidleyToday18:55 BST
Foue England supporters have been put through the wringer watching Thomas Tuchel’s side on the big screens at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.
The quartet have been up and down from their seats, as the Three Lions labour to beat DR Congo.
So engrossed in the action are these blokes, that their food came and none of them even noticed.
But one thing is clear.
Win lose or draw, none of them are big fans of Thomas Tuchel.
All of them think he should be sacked, whatever happens in Atlanta.
Jeremy CrossToday18:54 BST
England have six minutes to get through.
John Stones comes on for the seemingly injured – or cramping – Declan Rice.
Nathan RidleyToday18:52 BST
Masuaku and Samuel Moutoussamy are both off for Joris Kayembe Ditu and Fiston Mayele as Congo search for an equaliser.
Nathan RidleyToday18:50 BST
Relief for England in the 86th minute!
After Jude Bellingham tested Mpasi, the ball eventually found its way to Kane, whose strike was world class.
Gordon has another assist to underline his impact.
Nathan RidleyToday18:49 BST
WHAT A HIT!
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England were nearly in there but the ball didn’t drop for Nico O’Reilly roughly eight yards out.
They are piling the pressure on Congo.
Nathan RidleyToday18:39 BST
Brian Cipenga and Ngal Ayel Mukau make way for Edo Kayembe and Theo Bongonda.
Nathan RidleyToday18:38 BST
Anthony Gordon crosses in and Kane’s header is too much for Mpasi, who should really have done better.
Game on!
Nathan RidleyToday18:37 BST
FINALLY.
Nathan RidleyToday18:36 BST
More resolute Congo defending.
England then win a free-kick on the right-hand side but it comes to nothing.
Nathan RidleyToday18:35 BST
Aaron Wan-Bissaka rises highest to deny England a chance, but the ball goes out for a corner.
This needs to be a good delivery.
Nathan RidleyToday18:34 BST
Eberechi Eze is on for Spence.
Declan Rice has gone into right-back, with Bellingham dropping deeper in midfield.
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More boos.
Still no equaliser for England.
Nathan RidleyToday18:29 BST
The BBC suffered a brief but unexpected technical glitch on Wednesday evening which interrupted their World Cup coverage of England vs the DR Congo.
After a normal first-half, in which the Three Lions went 1-0 down thanks to Brian Cipenga’s seventh minute strike, the broadcaster resumed their presentation of the fixture.
The BBC suffered a brief technical glitch(Image: Getty Images)
That’ll be Mbuku’s last involvement.
Sebastien Desabre calls on Meschak Elia.
Nathan RidleyToday18:26 BST
Congo go short before Nathaniel Mbuku lets fly and Elliot Anderson gets his head on a shot which looked goalbound.
Another corner.
Nathan RidleyToday18:25 BST
Congo are starting to enjoy possession in good areas.
They’re not resting on a 1-0 lead.
Nathan RidleyToday18:24 BST
Thomas Tuchel has seen enough.
His changes his two wide men.
Rashford and Noni Madueke are off for Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka.
Half an hour of normal time remaining.
Nathan RidleyToday18:21 BST
Not for the first time at this World Cup, Thomas Tuchel is furious with Djed Spence.
Spence took a throw-in near the halfway line and went backwards, much to Tuchel’s dismay as he screamed at the Tottenham right-back.
It’s boiling over in Atlanta.