Harry Kane stepped forward when England needed him most, scoring twice in the final quarter of an hour to overturn a deficit against DR Congo and keep England's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign alive in Atlanta.

England had been drifting toward one of the most damaging results in their history, a performance that drew uncomfortable comparisons to the Euro 2016 last-16 loss to Iceland and the 1950 World Cup defeat against United States. Then their captain decided enough was enough.

Two moments of class

With 15 minutes remaining and England trailing, Kane powered a header past DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who had been outstanding throughout, denying England time and again with a string of exceptional saves.

Four minutes from time, Kane completed his brace in devastating fashion. Collecting a pass from substitute Anthony Gordon, he shifted the ball away from a defender and unleashed a right-foot strike that flew high past Mpasi, who had no chance of reaching it. Gordon, who came off the bench to significant effect, was involved in both goals.

England's reaction was a release of emotion that spoke to just how close disaster had come. The celebrations were for a place in the last 16; the relief was for everything else.

Kane's place among the greats

Head coach Thomas Tuchel raced onto the pitch in celebration at the final whistle, a man evidently aware of what this result meant for his own tenure as well as his team's tournament.