Harry Kane dragged England through the first knockout round and kept their England route to the final alive with a 2-1 win over DR Congo. Thomas Tuchel’s side went behind before Kane scored twice in the last 15 minutes to turn the match.
Harry Kane turns the match
England were one goal down in their first knockout fixture before Kane settled it late. His two goals changed a match that had started against them and sent England into the last 16 of the World Cup.
That result leaves England one step closer to a third major tournament final of the decade. It also gives them a clear next test, with Mexico waiting at 01:00 BST on Monday, 6 July.
Mexico at the Azteca Stadium
The next match is at the Azteca Stadium, where Mexico have won 70 of 89 games, drawn 17 and lost two. They are unbeaten in 10 World Cup games there, have won all four matches at this World Cup, and have scored eight goals without conceding.
Mexico’s current run also stretches beyond this tournament. They have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in November 2024 and arrive with 13 unbeaten matches behind them. Their World Cup path has already included a two-goal lead against Ecuador after about half an hour in the last 32.
Brazil on the other side
Brazil sit in England’s section of the draw and can still shape the route after the last 16. They topped Group C, drew 1-1 with Morocco, then beat Japan 2-1 in the last 32 with an injury-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli.
That leaves England with a straightforward equation and a hard next step. Beat Mexico, and Brazil remain a potential quarter-final opponent; fail there, and the route ends at the Azteca Stadium, more than 7,000 feet above sea level.
