Congo DR 1 – 2 England

WORLDCUP · July 1, 2026 · Final

🎧 Post-Game Report (audio)

Post-Game Recap

England edge past Congo DR two goals to one in a World Cup clash that had more resistance in it than the scoreline suggests. Congo DR drew first blood through Brian Cipenga, who was one of only three shots his side managed all afternoon, but that strike was enough to put England on the back foot early and force Gareth Southgate's men to respond.

And respond they did. England controlled the ball for nearly sixty percent of the match, putting sixteen shots downrange compared to Congo DR's seven, but the finishing was far from clinical — only seven of those efforts tested the goalkeeper, and Congo DR's keeper was busy, making five saves to keep this one alive deep into the second half. Jordan Pickford, by contrast, was barely called upon, making just the one save as Congo DR struggled to threaten in the final third, caught offside four times and unable to create the volume they needed.

Harry Kane was the focal point of England's attack, leading all players with five total shots, and Ezri Konsa was the engine in midfield and defense, completing seventy accurate passes to keep England's structure clean. Nico O'Reilly was everywhere defensively with nine interventions, snuffing out whatever Congo DR tried to build.

England found their two goals, held their nerve, and advance. It wasn't pretty, but in knockout football, pretty doesn't matter. That's your post-game report. Sports Desk, signing off.

AI-generated post-game report composed from the official play-by-play and box score.

Complete Play-by-Play

Show all 104 plays

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

First Half begins.

Offside, Congo DR. Yoane Wissa is caught offside. 2'

Foul by Marcus Rashford (England). 3'

Ngal'ayel Mukau (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 3'

Goal! England 0, Congo DR 1. Brian Cipenga (Congo DR) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Chancel Mbemba. 7'

Delay in match because of an injury Lionel Mpasi (Congo DR). 9'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 10'

Foul by Nico O'Reilly (England). 10'

Nathanaël Mbuku (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 10'

Noni Madueke (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 11'

Foul by Brian Cipenga (Congo DR). 11'

Corner, England. Conceded by Samuel Moutoussamy. 14'

Brian Cipenga (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 17'

Foul by Noni Madueke (England). 17'

Nathanaël Mbuku (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 19'

Foul by Jude Bellingham (England). 19'

Jude Bellingham (England) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 19'

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 21'

Foul by Marcus Rashford (England). 21'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 23'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 26'

Foul by Noah Sadiki (Congo DR). 27'

Djed Spence (England) wins a free kick on the right wing. 27'

Noah Sadiki (Congo DR) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 28'

Attempt saved. Jude Bellingham (England) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Lionel Mpasi (Congo DR). Assisted by Declan Rice with a cross. 30'

Attempt missed. Brian Cipenga (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Arthur Masuaku. 32'

Nathanaël Mbuku (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 34'

Foul by Nico O'Reilly (England). 34'

Attempt blocked. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 35'

Attempt missed. Nico O'Reilly (England) left footed shot from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Noni Madueke. 35'

Attempt blocked. Marcus Rashford (England) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nico O'Reilly. 35'

Attempt blocked. Noni Madueke (England) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 36'

Ngal'ayel Mukau (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 37'

Foul by Nico O'Reilly (England). 37'

Offside, Congo DR. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is caught offside. 38'

Foul by Ngal'ayel Mukau (Congo DR). 38'

Marcus Rashford (England) wins a free kick on the left wing. 38'

Attempt blocked. Noni Madueke (England) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jude Bellingham. 39'

Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Nico O'Reilly. 40'

Foul by Ngal'ayel Mukau (Congo DR). 41'

Jude Bellingham (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41'

Yoane Wissa (Congo DR) hits the right post with a right footed shot from very close range. 42'

Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. 45'

Attempt saved. Jude Bellingham (England) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Lionel Mpasi (Congo DR). Assisted by Noni Madueke with a cross. 45'+2'

Foul by Ngal'ayel Mukau (Congo DR). 45'+3'

Djed Spence (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+3'

Offside, Congo DR. Brian Cipenga is caught offside. 45'+5'

Foul by Samuel Moutoussamy (Congo DR). 45'+5'

Elliot Anderson (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+5'

Corner, England. Conceded by Nathanaël Mbuku. 45'+6'

Attempt saved. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner by Lionel Mpasi (Congo DR). Assisted by Declan Rice with a cross. 45'+6'

First Half ends, England 0, Congo DR 1. 45'+7'

Second Half begins England 0, Congo DR 1. 45'

Foul by Samuel Moutoussamy (Congo DR). 46'

Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 46'

Corner, England. Conceded by Ngal'ayel Mukau. 49'

Corner, England. Conceded by Arthur Masuaku. 50'

Attempt missed. Marcus Rashford (England) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jude Bellingham following a fast break. 51'

Attempt missed. Marcus Rashford (England) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Noni Madueke with a cross. 54'

Offside, Congo DR. Ngal'ayel Mukau is caught offside. 55'

Substitution, England. Bukayo Saka replaces Noni Madueke. 61'

Substitution, England. Anthony Gordon replaces Marcus Rashford. 61'

Attempt blocked. Brian Cipenga (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Noah Sadiki. 62'

Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Nico O'Reilly. 62'

Attempt blocked. Nathanaël Mbuku (Congo DR) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Brian Cipenga. 63'

Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Elliot Anderson. 63'

Substitution, Congo DR. Meschack Elia replaces Nathanaël Mbuku. 64'

Foul by Meschack Elia (Congo DR). 65'

Nico O'Reilly (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 65'

Yoane Wissa (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 66'

Foul by Ezri Konsa (England). 66'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 68'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 70'

Substitution, England. Eberechi Eze replaces Djed Spence. 70'

Corner, England. Conceded by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. 72'

Foul by Brian Cipenga (Congo DR). 73'

Eberechi Eze (England) wins a free kick on the right wing. 73'

Goal! England 1, Congo DR 1. Harry Kane (England) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Anthony Gordon with a cross. 75'

Substitution, Congo DR. Théo Bongonda replaces Brian Cipenga. 76'

Substitution, Congo DR. Edo Kayembe replaces Ngal'ayel Mukau. 76'

Attempt missed. Elliot Anderson (England) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Harry Kane. 79'

Foul by Meschack Elia (Congo DR). 81'

Ezri Konsa (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 81'

Attempt missed. Anthony Gordon (England) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Elliot Anderson with a cross. 85'

Attempt saved. Meschack Elia (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Jordan Pickford (England). 85'

Attempt saved. Jude Bellingham (England) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner by Lionel Mpasi (Congo DR). Assisted by Elliot Anderson with a through ball. 86'

Goal! England 2, Congo DR 1. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Anthony Gordon. 86'

Substitution, Congo DR. Joris Kayembe replaces Arthur Masuaku. 89'

Substitution, Congo DR. Fiston Mayele replaces Samuel Moutoussamy. 89'

Attempt missed. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Elliot Anderson. 90'

Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. 90'

Théo Bongonda (Congo DR) wins a free kick on the right wing. 90'+1'

Foul by Anthony Gordon (England). 90'+1'

Substitution, England. John Stones replaces Declan Rice. 90'+1'

Foul by Fiston Mayele (Congo DR). 90'+2'

Marc Guéhi (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+2'

Foul by Axel Tuanzebe (Congo DR). 90'+3'

Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+3'

Yoane Wissa (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+5'

Foul by Jude Bellingham (England). 90'+5'

Attempt missed. Yoane Wissa (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. 90'+7'

Second Half ends, England 2, Congo DR 1. 90'+7'

Match ends, England 2, Congo DR 1.