World Cup 2026: Harry Kane’s late brace saves England from stunning upset against DR Congo
Jay Busbee Senior writerWed, July 1, 2026 at 6:02 PM UTC·4 min readATLANTA — The leopards got out to a big lead, but the lions finally ran them down. After 75 terrifying minutes, England's Harry Kane finally equalized an early Congo goal, then added another to send England to a 2-1 win. The Three Lions now prepare for the daunting challenge of facing Mexico in Mexico City, while Les Léopards can take pride in going farther in the World Cup than any Congolese team before them.
From the jump, this was a match of nervous anticipation against frenetic jubilation. The Three Lions have been chasing a World Cup championship for the last 60 years, falling short time after heartbreaking time. Les Léopards, meanwhile, are playing in just their second World Cup ever, and its first knockout stage match.
AdvertisementAdvertisementEngland, as always, had history on their side: the English had beaten both of their previous African knockout opponents (Cameroon 1990 and Senegal 2022). Congo, meanwhile, was playing with house money … and almost immediately drew a royal flush.
Just seven minutes into the match, Brian Cipenga streaked untouched down the left side of England's territory, holding his hand to call for the ball. When it arrived, Cipenga didn't hesitate, lasering a shot past Jordan Pickford just inside the left post:
It was a striking moment for Cipenga, for DR Congo, for all of Africa, and Cipenga reveled in it. He unleashed the best celebration of the World Cup to date, a full-extension flip of absolute exultation:
Naturally, England responded to this unexpected early setback with composure and grace … if instant surrender cobras in the stands and barking on the pitch count as "composure." The Three Lions slouched their way into the first hydration break, a definite necessity in the climate-controlled Atlanta Stadium, and as they walked toward the bench, the assembled English faithful rained down boos from the rafters.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter the break, England came out more determined and purposeful, mounting strike after strike on Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Every attempt fell short, but the effort put a charge into the surly English fans in attendance.
Just before the half came two moments that could have altered the entire match. In the 42nd minute, Yoane Wissa — hero of Congo's win against Uzbekistan on this very field a few nights prior — broke free and had a clear shot on goal, but fired the ball off the right post.
Then, barely a minute later, Kane charged into the box, only to collide with Mpasi and sprawl out on the turf. Kane, the fans in Atlanta and pretty much the entire United Kingdom wanted a penalty kick, but even a video review declined to give him a shot.
As the squads left the field for the half, England held slight advantages in most statistical categories, but Congo held the edge in the only one that really mattered.
AdvertisementAdvertisementEngland put Mpasi's goalkeeping wizardry to the test early in the second half, and the Congolese keeper survived challenge after challenge. But on the other end of the pitch, England's defense was incredibly fragile, giving Congo's attackers room to create. With all the action around both goals, it appeared inevitable that either an equalizer or a dagger was coming.
Finally, in the 75th minute, Kane took matters into his own skull, heading a beautiful cross into the net for an equalizer that made a nation of millions exhale:
Ten minutes later, relief turned to glee as Kane did it again, this time rifling a shot into the top right corner of the goal, well out of Mpasi's reach:
The brace sent England on to the next round of the knockout stage, their confidence restored and their hope renewed. It also moved Kane ahead of the great Pelé on the all-time World Cup scoring list with 13 goals.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThis wasn't a vintage English performance, but it was a nervy one, especially as the minutes ticked down and the score remained 1-0. There are plenty of errors for England to clean up, particularly on the defensive end, but as long as Kane runs free, the Three Lions have a fighting chance.
Congo as a team, and Mpasi as a keeper, will leave this World Cup with high hopes and high expectations for the years to come. This was just one in a series of English victories, but it was the Cup of a lifetime for Congo, the kind of run they'll tell stories about for years to come. And perhaps when these teams meet again in four, eight or 20 years, the score will be very different as a result.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
