World Cup: England progress despite valiant performance from DR Congo's Mpasi

England had to come from behind against DR Congo in their first knockout game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup (2-1) and were reliant on an inspired performance from Harry Kane.

Le Havre's Mpasi stars for DR Congo

DR Congo secured their progression to the knockouts thanks to a comfortable win over Uzbekistan in the final matchday of the Group Stages. It was former Chateauroux, Angers, Laval, Ajaccio, and Lorient forward Yoane Wissa, now at Newcastle United, who was the difference-maker for DR Congo, who ensured that a record-breaking nine African teams qualified for the knockouts of this year's edition.

They came into this game, against England, as the underdogs. The Three Lions, having struggled against Ghana, finished their Group Stage campaign with a hard-fought win over Panama (2-0). The pressure was on former PSG manager Thomas Tuchel to up the levels ahead of what was expected to be another match that pitted one attack against one defence.

A wall vs. England. Lionel Mpasi. 🇨🇩🧱 pic.twitter.com/vEkD15cw8W
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 1, 2026

And so it transpired, especially after DR Congo took a shock lead against England, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament back in 2018. Brian Cipenga struck for the African side, beating Jordan Pickford at the near post following a ball from Lille defender Chancel Mbemba.

England looked to respond but came up against a resilient Lionel Mpasi. The Le Havre goalkeeper was exceptional throughout, making big saves from Jude Bellingham in the first half. When he was beaten, his defence was there to aid him, with Aaron Wan Bissaka notably making a crucial save off the line, whilst at the other end, Yoane Wiissa, formerly of Chateauroux, Angers, Laval, Ajaccio, and Lorient, struck the woodwork.

The barrage from the Three Lions relented after half-time. DR Congo struggled to threaten to net a second, but barring a shot from Marcus Rashford, which rippled the side-netting, DR Congo looked comfortable.

Changes from Tuchel made the difference, and it was one of them, Anthony Gordon, who provided the ball across for Kane, which eventually made the difference. Mpasi once again got a hand to the effort but couldn't keep the Bayern Munich forward's effort out of the net.

England's tails were up. They pushed for the winner as extra-time beckoned and it was the same combination that proved the difference. This time, however, it was much more about Kane, who took a simple pass from Gordon, worked the space and blasted into the top corner from the edge of the box.

In the driving seat for the first time, England then controlled the game and succeeded in seeing out the win in Atlanta, despite a valiant effort from their African opposition. The Three Lions will now face Mexico in the Azteca on Monday.

>> World Cup: Heartbreak for Pacho, Ecuador as Mexico advance

>> Cape Verde's Ligue 1 McDonald's connections

>> French football mourns the loss of Eric Roy

>> Who is new Lyon signing Noham Kamara?