Kane strikes as England edge Congo DR to reach World Cup last 16

England 2–1 Congo DR World Cup, Match Round 32

• England will play with . , on .
• Congo DR will play with . , on .

England

• Jordan Lee Pickford (6.2)
• Diop Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence (6.7)
• Ezri Konsa Ngoyo (6.9)
• Addji Keaninkin Marc-Israel Guéhi (7.3)
• Nico OReilly (5.9)
• Elliot Anderson (7.7)
• Declan Rice (7.2)
• Chukwunonso Tristan Madueke (7.9)
• Jude Victor William Bellingham (7)
• Marcus Rashford (6.9)
• Harry Edward Kane (8.3)

Congo DR

Substitutions:

England

• Marcus Rashford (Anthony Michael Gordon, 61)
• Chukwunonso Tristan Madueke (Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka, 61)
• Diop Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence (Eberechi Oluchi Eze, 70)
• Declan Rice (John Stones, 90)

Congo DR

• Nathanaël Mbuku (Meschack Elia Lina, 64)
• Ngalayel Mukau (Edouard Kayembe Kayembe, 76)
• Brian Kibambe Cipenga (Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat, 76)
• Fuka-Arthur Masuaku Kawela (Joris Kayembe Ditu, 89)
• Samuel Moutoussamy (Fiston Kalala Mayele, 89)

Ball possession:

England survived a nervy finish to book their place in the World Cup last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Congo DR, built on dominant possession, relentless shooting and an impressively controlled defensive display.

Passes:

Harry Kane – the game’s most prolific shooter – was at the heart of England’s attacking threat as they recorded 60% of the ball and racked up 16 attempts, seven of them on target. But it was England’s organisation without the ball, and their capacity to win key duels and make decisive interceptions and blocks, that ultimately saw them over the line.

Defense:

Congo DR, who had just 40% possession, stayed in the contest throughout. Brian Kibambe Cipenga, their most dangerous attacking outlet, made the most of limited service to test England with two efforts on goal from the side’s six shots.

Face-to-face:

Yet England’s blend of control and industry in midfield, underpinned by the passing of Ezri Konsa and the work-rate of Elliot Anderson, proved decisive in a high-stakes World Cup tie that tightened in the closing stages.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Jude Victor William Bellingham (England) at 19 minute
• Noah Junior Sadiki (Congo DR) at 28 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• England –
• Congo DR –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

1. Masour Ousmane Dembélé (3, )
2. Harry Edward Kane (3, )
3. Leandro Trossard (2, )
4. Kylian Mbappé Lottin (2, )
5. Pape Alassane Gueye (2, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• England will play with . , on .
• Congo DR will play with . , on .