SPORTSWORLD.AM
England had to put in all their efforts in Atlanta to beat a stubborn and resilient team from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thomas Tuchel's team, having lost the match during the game, managed to turn the tide of the match and in the end snatched a hard-fought victory with a score of 2:1. Thanks to a wonderful double from Harry Kane, the Three Lions won a ticket to the 1/8 finals, where they will compete with the co-hosts of the tournament, Mexico.
A surprise start and the nerves of the English
The match got off to a lively start: in the 7th minute, the stands at Atlanta Stadium were shocked when the DR Congo team took the lead. After Chancel Mbemba's pass to the back post, Brian Sipenga, who appeared on the left wing, was able to successfully control the ball and hit Jordan Pickford's goal with a powerful shot into the near corner.
The English nerves gave way, as was clearly demonstrated by Jude Bellingham's rough tackle on Augsburg's Nathaniel Mbuku, for which the Real Madrid midfielder was booked. Minutes later, Bellingham could have equalised, but his header was saved by Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi with a brilliant save.
Pressure and missed opportunities
The Three Lions continued their onslaught of attacks. Marcus Rashford had a great chance soon after, but his shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Congo could have doubled their lead before half-time, but a cross from the right wing was saved by the post after Yohan Wiisa's shot from close range.
Goalkeeper Mpasi was already becoming a national hero in Congo: before the break, he again made a great save from Kane's dangerous shot after a corner kick.
At the start of the second half, Rashford's shot hit the outside of the net, while on the other side, Mbuku, before being substituted, stood out with a dangerous long-range shot that went wide of the goal after a ricochet.
Tuchel's changes and Kane's benefit
The changes made by the English head coach finally opened the lock on the Leopards' defense 15 minutes before the end of the match. After Anthony Gordon's pass, Bayern striker Harry Kane headed the ball into the left corner of Mpasi's goal with a precise shot, 1:1. It was already felt in the stadium that the Congolese national team was running out of strength.
That impression became reality at the end of the game, when England rushed to claim victory. At the decisive moment, Kane, even from an awkward angle, nailed the ball into the top corner of the goal with a lightning strike. Mpasi remained frozen in place. The brave Congolese team leaves the fight, and England confirms its place in the next round match at the Azteca Stadium.