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Kane’s comeback vs Congo
England beat DR Congo 2-1 in the World Cup round of 32 in Atlanta after Harry Kane scored in the 75th and 86th minutes to complete a late comeback.
“two late goals from Harry Kane. The skipper said he had his “hero moment” after his goals – in the 75th and 86th minutes”
Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead after seven minutes, and England struggled to break down a defence that was repeatedly threatened by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi’s saves.
Thomas Tuchel said, "We kept believing," as he described how England had to keep their mindset when the match became difficult.
Kane then set up the next stage by scoring again after the second hydration break, with ESPN describing how Anthony Gordon collected Declan Rice’s overhit cross and dinked it back across goal for the equaliser and the winner.
Hydration breaks spark debate
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the hydration breaks are also an opportunity for managers to "engage" with players, and HITC quoted him explaining, "These breaks are so important to give players a break during tournament play."
The Independent reported that England fans widely booed the hydration break during the first half at the air-conditioned Atlanta Stadium, with the stoppages drawing criticism as the rain continued.
TNT Sports framed the same match’s momentum shift around the enforced stoppages, quoting Tuchel on the BBC: "After the first water break we had three, four, five big chances."
Kane added on TNT Sports that "After the first hydration break, we upped the level," as he credited the break for England looking good after being behind to Cipenga’s early goal.
Mexico awaits in Round of 16
England’s victory booked a Round of 16 clash against co-hosts Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium, with Ham & High noting the match is early on Monday and will be at altitude.
“now set to play against tournament co-hosts Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium”
The Independent’s account of the hydration-break controversy placed the boos alongside earlier criticism in England’s previous World Cup games against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, as FIFA mandated two three-minute stoppages in each match.
Rediff said the comeback win exposed defensive vulnerabilities that had already surfaced during the group stage, and it pointed to Mexico as a "far sterner examination" at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium.
DraftKings Network then set the stakes for the next matchup by listing England as -340 favorites to triumph in regular time and -1000 to advance to the Round of 16, with the live updates concluding that the outcome would be Mexico and England at the Estadio Azteca.
