Kane's Late Brace Carries England Past Congo into World Cup Round of 16

ATLANTA (AP) — Harry Kane netted twice after the break on Wednesday as England fought back from a deficit to defeat Congo 2-1 and secure a place in the World Cup round of 16.

The Three Lions' record goalscorer levelled matters with a header after Brian Cipenga had stunned England by putting Congo ahead at the interval. Kane then found the winner with an 86th-minute strike into the top corner at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

"It was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock, and our moment would come," Kane said. "We spoke about people having hero moments. It can be anyone in the team … Whoever it is, we have hero moments, and for me it was the day."

For long stretches, England appeared on course for one of the most shocking results in World Cup history. The side had previously managed only a single victory at the tournament after falling behind first — that coming in the 1996 final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium.

England's next assignment is a round-of-16 clash with co-host Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday.

Kane moved to five goals at this year's World Cup and pushed his tournament record for England to 13, extending his status as the country's all-time leading scorer at the finals. He now has 84 international goals in total.

His opening strike arrived in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon swung in a cross from the left, and although Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi got a touch on Kane's header, the ball still dropped into the bottom corner.

Eleven minutes on, Kane curled his effort into the top corner.

Cipenga had opened the scoring in the seventh minute, gathering a cross on the left side of the area and firing low beyond England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at the near post.

Mpasi worked hard to protect Congo's lead. He turned away Jude Bellingham three times — stopping two headers from close range before the break and then pushing away a deflected attempt after halftime.

Kane came close to breaking through late in the first half, only for Mpasi to block a fierce near-post effort. The keeper was also involved in a collision with Kane inside the box, but referee Adham Makhadmeh rejected England's penalty appeals.

Congo nearly stretched their advantage when Yoane Wissa struck the post in the first half.