Those of us "who know our football" were predicting scores like 4-0 or 4-1 in favour of England in their Round of 16 match against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One of us said 2-1. "Pessimist," we thought.
[TNT Sports]
England v Democratic Republic of Congo
It was a cagey start with much lateral passing, then all of a sudden, in the 7th minute, Congo scored out of the blue through their no 9 Cipenga.
England keeper Pickford failed to cover his near post properly and England were 1-0 down.
England seemed rattled, committing niggling and unnecessary fouls. Bellingham was booked.
After the hydration break England pressed for an equaliser. Bellingham had a good header saved by Congo's acrobatic keeper.
[Instagram]
Meanwhile, at the other end, Pickford was having a bit of a nightmare. There was a goalline clearance and Congo hit the post.
The Congo goalkeeper made another great save and there was another goal-line clearance via a defender's knees in the last minute of time added on at the end of the first half.
2nd half
England were really pressing with some urgency. There was a great chance for Rashford, a Bellingham shot was cleared off the line and Rashford headed over the bar.
In the 60th minute England manaager Thomas Tuchel substituted Gordon and Saka for Rashford and Madueki with little discernible improvement.
Congo had another near miss.
Then, finally, Kane equalised with a header in the 75th minute.
11 minutes later Kane added to his tally with a superb curving strike from the right of the penalty area into the left corner.
Kane now has 5 goals in the race for the "Golden Boot".
4 minutes to go plus an amazing 6 minutes added time!
[Reuters]
We did it! But at what cost to my nerves!
Our pessimistic friend got it right: 2-1.
Other matches
Belgium 3 - 2 Senegal
USA 2 - 0 Boznia Herzegovina
© Sporty Sam MMXXVI
Pictures:
Instagram, Reuters, TNT Sports
Thanks:
DAZN, Paul Whitelock, TNT Sports,
Tags:
Belgium, Bellingham, Boznia Herzegovina, Cipenga, Congo, DAZN, England, Golden Boot, Gordon, Instagram, Kane, Madueki, Paul Whitelock, Pickford, Rashford, Reuters, Saka, Sporty Sam, Thomas Tuchel, TNT Sports, USA