The England national team reached the round of sixteen of the 2026 World Cup after a very difficult victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States of America. The England team, which won its only World Cup title 60 years ago, found itself trailing to a goal by striker Brian Sipinga, who put the Democratic Republic of Congo in front from the seventh minute with a touch past goalkeeper Pickford. The Three Lions team tried to return quickly in the match, and Jude Bellingham, Maduki and Harry Kane led their attacks relentlessly on the Congolese goal, but goalkeeper Mbasi excelled amazingly in stopping many attacks. The British shock from Sipinga's goal continued throughout the first half, as Kane and his teammates were unable to break the steadfastness of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the first half of the match, which ended with the team coming from Kinshasa leading 1-0. In the second half, the Democratic Republic of Congo players continued their defensive steadfastness, and Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka missed several good opportunities to equalize. Captain Harry Kane was able to put an end to the steadfastness of the Democratic Republic of the Congo team in the 75th minute when he scored the equalizer for England with a perfect header, taking advantage of a decisive cross sent by substitute Anthony Jordan. England's best player, Harry Kane, continued to practice his scoring hobby in an amazing season with Bayern Munich and the English national team, and led several attacks towards goalkeeper Mbasi, who blocked a dangerous attempt in the eightieth minute. Bukayo Saka, in turn, missed the opportunity for a promising attack by England after a quick start that ended with the intervention of the Congolese defense. Harry Kane returned to his heroic role and scored the second goal for himself and his country in the 86th minute of the match, turning the tables in favor of the English and making the score 2-1. The Democratic Republic of the Congo players did not succeed in regaining the glow of the beginning and surrendered to the control of coach Thomas Tuchel's players, who controlled the rest of the match to qualify for the round of 16 of the World Cup. England will meet Mexico, one of the three host countries, in the round of sixteen on July 6.