England stared into the abyss for 75 minutes in Atlanta before Harry Kane hauled them back from the brink. The captain’s two late goals — a headed equaliser and a fierce drive four minutes from time — overturned Brian Cipenga’s early strike and sent the Three Lions into a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. It was a victory carved from persistence rather than fluency, as Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced a string of saves to frustrate Thomas Tuchel’s side, who dominated possession but repeatedly found the way barred.

DR Congo had stunned the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the seventh minute when Cipenga, unmarked at the far post, fired low past Jordan Pickford. England responded with waves of pressure: Jude Bellingham saw two headers parried, Marcus Rashford had a shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Kane’s close-range volley was blocked. The African side almost doubled their lead before the interval when Yoane Wissa’s effort struck the woodwork. After the break, the pattern continued until substitute Anthony Gordon crossed for Kane to head home his 12th World Cup goal. Then, with extra time looming, Kane collected a rebound, turned his marker and unleashed an unstoppable shot inside the near post. “We spoke about people having hero moments, and it can be anyone. It was me today,” Kane said. The double took his tournament tally to 13, moving him past Pelé and level with Just Fontaine.

The victory sets up a compelling narrative. England return to the Azteca 40 years after Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ eliminated them in the 1986 quarter-finals. Mexican media have already framed the contest as a chance to avenge a 2-0 defeat in the 1966 group stage, the only previous World Cup meeting between the sides. The co-hosts enter the match in formidable form, having won four straight without conceding, though the euphoria was tempered by the deaths of three supporters in a crush during celebrations in the capital. Viewed from London, the performance raised familiar questions about England’s ability to break down organised defences, but the resilience shown in coming from behind for the first time at a World Cup since 1986 offered a counter-narrative.

England will face Mexico on Sunday at the Azteca, with a quarter-final against either Brazil or Norway awaiting the winner. For a team that has oscillated between disjointed and decisive in this tournament, the challenge of a raucous home crowd and a well-drilled opponent will be the sternest test yet of their capacity to grind out results when it matters most.