England narrowly avoided one of the great World Cup upsets on Wednesday night, coming from behind to beat a defiant DR Congo 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Harry Kane, the captain, struck in the 75th and 86th minutes to cancel out Brian Cipenga’s early opener and secure a place in the round of 16, where Mexico await at the Estadio Azteca. The victory, however, was far from the statement of intent that Thomas Tuchel’s side had hoped to deliver.

The match began disastrously for England. With barely seven minutes played, a long diagonal from Chancel Mbemba found Cipenga unmarked on the left, and the Almería winger’s low drive beat Jordan Pickford at his near post. The goal exposed familiar frailties on England’s right flank, where Djed Spence was caught out of position. For the next hour, England dominated possession and created a flurry of chances, but were repeatedly denied by the inspired Lionel Mpasi. The Congolese goalkeeper, a reserve at Le Havre, produced a string of outstanding saves, twice thwarting Jude Bellingham headers and also keeping out a Kane volley. Marcus Rashford had an effort cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Kane saw a penalty appeal waved away after a collision with Mpasi. DR Congo, meanwhile, almost doubled their lead when Yoane Wissa struck the post from close range just before half-time.

Tuchel’s substitutions proved decisive. Anthony Gordon, introduced on the hour, provided the cross for Kane’s equaliser, a downward header that finally beat Mpasi. Eleven minutes later, Gordon again found Kane on the edge of the area, and the Bayern Munich striker shifted the ball onto his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner. The brace took Kane to 13 World Cup goals, moving him past Pelé on the all-time list, and made him the first England player to score twice in a knockout match since Gary Lineker in 1990. It also ended a 60-year wait for an England comeback victory in a World Cup knockout tie, the only previous instance being the 1966 final against West Germany.

For DR Congo, the defeat ended a historic campaign. Playing in their first knockout match at a World Cup, the Leopards pushed one of the tournament favourites to the brink and departed with their reputation enhanced. Coach Sébastien Desabre described Kane as “the best striker in the world” and said his team left with more pride than disappointment. England now face a formidable challenge. Mexico, the co-hosts, have won all four of their matches without conceding a goal and will enjoy the altitude of Mexico City. Tuchel acknowledged the physical disadvantage but insisted his side were ready. “When the going gets tough, we will find the answers,” he said.