Nobody told DR Congo that this was supposed to be comfortable. Within seven minutes, Gaël Cipenga had punished a catastrophically slow England start — a mistake in the defensive third, a ball fed through, and a composed finish that silenced Mercedes-Benz Stadium and sent a collective groan echoing around English living rooms. At 7 minutes, DR Congo led England. At a World Cup. In the Round of 32.
What followed was a long, uncomfortable examination of England's ability to break down a well-organized defence when pressed. Jude Bellingham worked hard but found little joy between the lines. Noni Madueke, starting on the right flank, created the odd moment of quality but no clear-cut chance. England probed, circulated, and largely failed to find a decisive opening through the first hour. It had the uncomfortable energy of a match that could go either way.
Then Harry Kane took over. In the 75th minute, Kane rose highest at a cross to head England level — the goal so simple in its execution that it somehow looked inevitable in retrospect, even if nothing had felt inevitable before it. Eleven minutes later, he did it again: a clinical finish from inside the box, England 2-1, Kane with a brace. The question of how England were going to score was answered in the simplest way possible — give the ball to their all-time record scorer and let him be Harry Kane.
Bukayo Saka, introduced from the bench, provided energy and pace in the final stages but England's second goal was already in before he could add a third. England advance to the Round of 16. It was not pretty. It did not need to be. Harry Kane made it work, and in a tournament like this, that is all that matters.
When England needed two goals, Harry Kane scored both of them. His movement, positioning, and finishing remain at an elite level, and no matter what questions this England team raises going forward, the answer to "how will we score?" remains the same: give it to Kane. He is 31 years old and still doing this at a World Cup. Remarkable.
They led England from the seventh minute through to the 75th. Sixty-eight minutes ahead of one of the favourites at this tournament. The Léopards came to compete, and they did. Their exit should not obscure what a remarkable achievement their R32 appearance was for African football.
Bellingham was industrious but not incisive. Madueke started but didn't unlock anything. England's attack outside of Kane remains a concern — because in a Round of 16 against Mexico, Kane is not going to be able to do this alone again. Probably. Actually, maybe he will. He is Harry Kane.
England advance to face Mexico in the Round of 16 — the Azteca victors from Match 079, who ended 40 years of knockout hurt on their own ground. England haven't beaten Mexico in a competitive knockout match. Mexico haven't beaten England in a World Cup. Neither team cares about that right now. They care about the next game.
DR Congo exit with their heads held high — they led England for 68 minutes and made the holders work every single second. African football walks away from Atlanta with a lot more respect than it arrived with.
See the complete R32 bracket for all pairings.