An inspired Harry Kane struck twice as England came from behind to defeat DR Congo 2-1 and reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
England had to pick themselves up after suffering a disastrous start to the round of 32 contest as Brian Cipenga beat Jordan Pickford at the near post to open the scoring in only the seventh minute.
The Three Lions had opportunities to respond in Atlanta, twice through Jude Bellingham in the first half, but the Real Madrid midfielder saw a pair of goal-bound headers denied by the impressive Lionel Mpasi in the Congolese goal.
The momentum swung back and forth as half-time drew nearer, with Kane seeing a penalty shout waved away before Yoane Wissa was denied by the woodwork from near point-blank range.
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There were more nervous moments for a lackadaisical England at the start of the second period, but Tuchel rang the changes on the hour-mark and it was one of the German’s substitutes, Anthony Gordon, who set up Harry Kane’s first to level in the 75th minute.
Kane made it his mission to drag England to victory as the minutes ticked down and the talismanic Bayern Munich striker was rewarded as he rifled an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net to put his side in front with four minutes remaining of normal time.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will face off against Mexico for a place in the quarter-finals next Monday at the Estadio Azteca, with this year’s co-hosts overcoming Ecuador to secure their place in the last 16.
Jordan Pickford – 3
The England goalkeeper was largely at fault for DR Congo’s early breakthrough, beaten at his near post as Cipenga opened the scoring with his first ever international goal in the seventh minute.
‘Pickford’s body weight is slightly leaning left… Cipenga slightly drags it to Pickford’s right and it’s a difficult moment for him,’ ex-England shot-stopper Joe Hart said of Pickford’s questionable positioning for the goal.
Was extremely fortunate that captain fantastic Kane spared his blushes with a momentous second-half performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Djed Spence – 3
Jarell Quansah had his struggles in England’s victory over Panama and the Three Lions’ right-back predicament reared its ugly head again as Cipenga found himself in acres of space to put DR Congo in front in the seventh minute.
The lively Sadiki expertly dragged an unsuspecting Spence into the middle of the box, allowing Cipenga to ghost in on the left flank in a nightmare moment for the Three Lions. Immature defending from the Tottenham man.
Showed moments of quality going forward with his searing pace but was turned inside out by the impressive Cipenga as DR Congo threatened to double their advantage in a worrying end to the first half for Tuchel’s men.
Was given yet more problems by Cipenga after the break and was brought off for Eberechi Eze before England fought back to turn the tide in their favour.
Ezri Konsa – 4
Was found wanting for DR Congo’s breakthrough and perhaps should have equalised as Rice swung in a free-kick from the right flank in the 28th minute, only to direct the ball out of play off his body from the edge of the six-yard box.
Was all at sea as Wissa hit the post late on in the first half, with England’s defence looking vulnerable practically every time DR Congo attacked Pickford’s goal with any vigour.
Marc Guehi – 4
Just as England appeared to be gaining momentum in the dying embers of the first half, Guehi was fortunate not to cost his side again – after some poor positioning for DR Congo’s breakthrough – as he inexcusably missed a defensive header while opposition threatened to feed on the scraps.
The Manchester City defender got away with another one in the 43rd minute as Wissa struck against the upright with the goalmouth gaping.
The inquest would not have been pretty for Guehi and Konsa had it not been for Kane.
England’s centre-back pairing owe their captain big time.
Nico O’Reilly – 5
Looked nervous in an edgy start to the match for England’s entire defence.
By no means the Three Lions’ worst performer but will undoubtedly be desperate to improve against Mexico next Monday.
Work to be done for the Manchester City youngster.
Declan Rice – 4
Having missed England’s previous clash with Panama, Rice worked himself some space and provided an exquisite cross which Bellingham should perhaps have headed home to equalise on the half-hour mark.
For the most part, though, the returning central midfielder looked a shell of the player that helped steer Arsenal to Premier League glory last season, which showed in a couple of poorly taken set-pieces.
Definite signs of rustiness for Rice after a gruelling domestic campaign.
Elliot Anderson – 6
Having starred against Panama, Anderson endured a slow start to this evening’s encounter, clumsily passing the ball out of play when England were gaining momentum after DR Congo’s opener.
Tireless and tenacious out of possession and kept his cool as England’s last man as Wissa threatened to race through on goal and restore the Leopards’ lead in the 85th minute.
As was the case against Panama previously, it was a tale of two halves for the the Nottingham Forest star.
He will be looking to put that right against Mexico.
Jude Bellingham – 7
England’s standout performer in the group stages, Bellingham was once again the bright spark and set out his stall early on, very nearly nicking the ball off goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi before DR Congo’s dream opener.
The Real Madrid superstar picked up a booking for a reckless challenge midway through the first half – and his frustrations continued in a really sloppy start to the match.
Picked himself up to have England’s best chance to draw level in the 30th minute, but saw a powerful header denied by Mpasi after an inviting ball from midfield partner Rice.
There was a feeling of deja vu as the Congolese goalkeeper produced a flying save to keep out another goal-bound header from Bellingham on the stroke of half-time.
Marcus Rashford – 4
Given the nod over Anthony Gordon, Rashford badly struggled to make inroads against former Manchester United team-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the most part.
At the start of the second period, Rashford did everything right as he raced in on goal and switched the ball onto his left boot, only to fire into the side-netting under no pressure whatsoever.
Was deservedly taken off and put out of his misery in the 60th minute, with Gordon taking over the reins.
Noni Madueke – 2
Returning to the side in place of Bukayo Saka, Madueke caused Masuaku issues in the opening exchanges and finished the half strongly, coming close to forcing an equaliser with some smart dribbling on the right flank as Kane and Rashford were both denied in a goalmouth scramble.
That was as good as it got for the Arsenal winger, who flattered to deceive before, overhitting and underhitting a number of crosses, before??? being hauled off for club team-mate Bukayo Saka on the hour-mark.
A woefully ineffective display and one that will surely see him taken out of the firing line against Mexico.
Harry Kane – 9
England’s talisman and skipper – captaining his country for a record 91st time – was largely anonymous in the first period, other than having a penalty shout turned down by referee Adham Makhadmeh.
Was left to feed off scraps for the most part, not helped by a lack of quality service from Madueke and Rashford from the wide areas, before meeting Gordon’s cross with a heroic header to level in the 75th minute.
He wasn’t done there, though… with four minutes remaining of normal time, the Bayern Munich striker worked himself some space and rifled an unstoppable right-footed effort into the roof of the net.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Kane’s magnificent double put the ex-Tottenham forward joint-sixth – one goal clear of Brazilian icon Pele – on the list of all-time top scorers in World Cups.
Substitutes
Bukayo Saka – 5
First meaningful contribution was to miscontrol a high ball straight out of play for a throw-in, sparking loud jeers from England’s travelling support at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Came on and provided the dinked cross for Kane’s headed equaliser with 15 minutes remaining of normal time.
Eberechi Eze – 5
Caused DR Congro problems in tandem with Arsenal team-mate Saka after replacing Spence in the 70th minute.
John Stones – 5
Not on the pitch long enough to make a meaningful contribution.