If you missed England vs DR Congo in this FIFA World Cup, you missed one of the wildest matches of the tournament so far. England went in as Group L winners, DR Congo scraped through as third-placed finishers from Group K — and for most of this game, it looked like the underdogs would pull off the shock of the century.
But football has a funny way of rewarding patience. By the final whistle, England vs DR Congo had turned into a story of resilience, a goalkeeping masterclass from the opposition, and one England striker who simply refused to be denied.
Here’s everything that went down.
A Nightmare Start for England
England barely had time to settle before disaster struck. In just the 6th minute, DR Congo’s Brian Cipenga slipped a clever near-post finish past Jordan Pickford, silencing the crowd and stunning the pre-match favourites.
From there, DR Congo sat back and defended for their lives — and it worked, brilliantly, for almost an hour.
Mpasi Was Simply Unbeatable
If there’s one player who deserves a standing ovation from this England vs DR Congo clash, it’s DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi. He was an absolute wall between the posts.
- 29th minute: Denied a thumping Bellingham header off a Declan Rice cross
- 45+1′: Somehow kept out another Bellingham header
- 45+5′: Saved a Harry Kane volley off a corner
- 52nd minute: Pulled off yet another incredible stop against Bellingham
England created chance after chance. Mpasi said no every single time.
Other First-Half Drama
It wasn’t just a goalkeeping show. There was plenty else happening too:
- 18th minute: Yellow card for Jude Bellingham after a tackle
- 26th minute: Noah Sadiki booked for a foul on Djed Spence
- 34th minute: A goal-line clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka denied Rashford
- 41st minute: Yoane Wissa’s shot crashed off the post and away
- 42nd minute: A VAR check on a possible Kane penalty — no foul given
England went into the break dominating possession and chances, yet somehow trailing 1-0. That’s football.
The Second-Half Turnaround
England came out for the second half hungry, but the breakthrough didn’t arrive immediately. Rashford fired wide, Bellingham was denied again by Mpasi, and the clock kept ticking.
Then came the substitutions that changed everything. Noni Madueke made way for Bukayo Saka in the 61st minute, and Marcus Rashford was replaced by Anthony Gordon — a move that proved absolutely decisive.
The Equaliser
In the 74th minute, Anthony Gordon delivered a pinpoint cross, and Harry Kane rose highest to head it home. 1-1, and suddenly England vs DR Congo had a completely different feel to it.
The Winner
DR Congo tried to respond, bringing on Theo Bongonda for the tiring Brian Cipenga in the 76th minute. But England had the momentum now.
In the 85th minute, Kane struck again — a powerful, top-corner finish, once more assisted by Gordon. 2-1, and this time there was no way back for DR Congo.
England saw out the remaining minutes, with Declan Rice making way for John Stones in stoppage time to help manage the closing stages.
Match Summary Table
| Time | Event | Player Involved | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6′ | Goal | Brian Cipenga | DR Congo |
| 18′ | Yellow Card | Jude Bellingham | England |
| 26′ | Yellow Card | Noah Sadiki | DR Congo |
| 34′ | Goal-line Clearance | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | England |
| 41′ | Shot off Post | Yoane Wissa | DR Congo |
| 74′ | Goal (Header) | Harry Kane (assist: Gordon) | England |
| 85′ | Goal | Harry Kane (assist: Gordon) | England |
Final Thoughts on England vs DR Congo
This wasn’t a comfortable win — far from it. DR Congo, and especially their goalkeeper Mpasi, made England work for every single inch. But class told in the end, and Harry Kane’s two late goals were the difference between a shock exit and a hard-fought progression.
Final Score: England 2-1 DR Congo
England march on. DR Congo can hold their heads high after a performance that pushed the tournament favourites to their absolute limit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the final score in England vs DR Congo?
England won the match 2-1. DR Congo took an early lead, but Harry Kane scored twice in the second half to complete the comeback.
Who scored the goals in England vs DR Congo?
Brian Cipenga scored for DR Congo in the 6th minute. Harry Kane scored twice for England, in the 74th and 85th minutes, both assisted by Anthony Gordon.
Who was the best player in England vs DR Congo?
Harry Kane was the standout for his match-winning brace, but DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi was outstanding, making multiple crucial saves throughout the game.
What substitutions changed the England vs DR Congo match?
England brought on Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka in the 61st minute. Gordon’s introduction proved decisive, as he assisted both of Kane’s second-half goals.
Did DR Congo create any chances in the England vs DR Congo game?
Yes, DR Congo were dangerous on the counter. Yoane Wissa hit the post in the 41st minute, and their early goal came from a sharp near-post finish by Brian Cipenga.
I’m a football writer, covering top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. I write about match analysis, football news, tactics, and major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, delivering clear, engaging insights for fans.
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