That's a wrap for our coverage of the Round of 32 match between England and DR Congo. What a thriller! End-to-end drama, right through the 90 minutes. More FIFA World Cup action to follow soon, as Belgium take on Senegal in another Round of 32 clash. Do join us on NDTV Sports for that. Goodbye!

Right then, England's journey continues. Harry Kane has led his side to the knockouts. Awaiting them in the Round of 16? Co-hosts Mexico. A scintillating game that should be, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Two unbeaten sides to face off, with the quarter-finals on the line.

Much like fellow African nation Ivory Coast yesterday, DR Congo played their first-ever World Cup knockout match today. And much like Ivory Coast yesterday, DR Congo narrowly lost 2-1, with the winning goal being scored late by a star European striker. 

DR Congo put in a superb performance today. Brian Cipenga gave them the lead with a brilliant finish. Aaron wan-Bissaka made a goalline clearance, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made multiple saves. Yet, it wasn't to be. Their World Cup campaign ends here, but they can look back on it with pride. 

FULL TIME! VICTORY FOR ENGLAND! Harry Kane has been the saviour for England once again. They have survived an almighty scare, and beaten DR Congo with two goals from their captain in the final 15 minutes. Heartbreak for DR Congo, who put up an incredible fight against Thomas Tuchel's side. But their journey ends here. England are through to the Round of 16!

FT | ENG 2-1 COD

Wissa slams a direct free-kick just over the bar in the final minute! That is surely DR Congo's last chance. He looked to curl it over the wall and around Pickford's left, but it went just over the bar. 

90 7' ENG 2-1 COD

Six minutes added on by the fourth official. Six minutes for DR Congo to shock England once again and find an equalizer. England have brought on John Stones for Declan Rice to shore up the defence in the final few minutes.

90 1' ENG 2-1 COD

GOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL! Harry Kane again! It's two for the England captain! England are in front! Jude Bellingham is sent through on goal, he takes the shot instead of cutting it back but it's saved. The rebound is collected by Anthony Gordon on the edge of the box, he finds Kane, who makes room for himself and thumps in an incredible finish into the top corner! Heartbreak for DR Congo, England lead!

86' ENG 2-1 COD

Jude Bellingham showing some silky skills on the left wing, cutting inside and dribbling past a defender before cutting it back. The pass is intercepted, but England have a chance on the rebound, but fail to take advantage! 

82' ENG 1-1 COD

GOOOOOAAAAALLLL! England are back on level terms, it's Harry Kane with the goal! Anthony Gordon curls in the cross from the left wing, Harry Kane meets it with a bullet header and scores. Finally, England have beaten DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi Nzau. All to play for now, it's 1-1!

75' ENG 1-1 COD

Time for the second-half hydration break. England threatened DR Congo in the early minutes of the second half, but then DR Congo have actually come on the attack themselves a couple of times. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and co. have been unable to break Lionel Mpasi Nzau's staunch defense, they have just over 20 minutes to do so. Thomas Tuchel can be seen giving an animated team talk during the hydration break.

Eberechi Eze comes on for Djed Spence after the break. An attacking midfielder for a defender, Tuchel going all out!

70' ENG 0-1 COD

Another chance for DR Congo! Right-winger Nathanael Mbuku cuts inside and fires in a curling shot with his right foot from the edge of the box, but it goes just over the bar! That was a really good effort.

Mbuku is then substituted off, as DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre opts to bring on some fresh legs.

63' ENG 0-1 COD

Changes on the wings for England. Anthony Gordon replaces Marcus Rashford on the left, Bukayo Saka is on for Noni Madueke on the right. 30 minutes of regular time remains in the second half as the clock ticks past the 60th-minute mark. DR Congo are threatening England on the counter at times, but their final ball is lacking.

60' ENG 0-1 COD

Shot from the left by Jude Bellingham, it takes a deflection and makes it really tricky for Mpasi Nzau, but he is able to make another save! The ball goes high up and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba rushes back to clear it off the goalline. Absolute drama to start the second half.

53' ENG 0-1 COD

DR Congo burst into a counter-attack, a player makes a run into space on the right wing, but the pass does not reach him as England make a crucial interception in the midfield. Moments later, Rashford comes on the counter and shoots at goal, but hits the side-netting.

52' ENG 0-1 COD

We are back! The second half is underway at the Atlanta Stadium. England attacking from left to right; they need a goal to stay alive in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Can DR Congo hang on? An exciting 45 minutes coming up.

46' ENG 0-1 COD

HALF TIME! And breathe! The whistle blows to signal the end of the first 45, and what a breathtaking half of football it has been. DR Congo took the lead in the seventh minute as Brian Cipenga scored, and after that, DR Congo's defence has put in a heroic display. Aaron wan-Bissaka made a goalline clearance, while Mpasi has made three amazing saves. DR Congo hit the post again, while Harry Kane was denied a penalty for diving. 

Don't go anywhere, we'll be back shortly with the second half.

HT | ENG 0-1 COD

Lionel Mpasi Nzau makes another stunning save! Harry Kane slams it on the half-volley in the box, just a few yards away from goal, but Mpasi makes yet another brilliant save. That's his third incredible save of the game. He denied two headers from Bellingham earlier, and now he's stopped Harry Kane on the final minute of the first half.

45 6' ENG 0-1 COD

What a save! Jude Bellingham has been denied once again by DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi Nzau. It's a lovely header towards goal, but Mpasi's outstretched right arm comes to DR Congo's rescue once again. 

We are into six minutes of added time. England are knocking on the door, but Mpasi Nzau is guarding it brilliantly.

45 2' ENG 0-1 COD

End-to-end drama! Chance for DR Congo, wan-Bissaka puts in a cross, it takes a deflection off O'Reilly and then comes to Wissa who hits the post with his shot! DR Congo inches away from going 2-0 up. 

Then England come on the counter-attack, Harry Kane goes down in the box. England want a penalty, they think the goalkeeper committed a foul, but the referee says it's a dive! 

42' ENG 0-1 COD

DR Congo putting their bodies on the line! Chance for Harry Kane in the box is blocked, and then Marcus Rashford's gets an opportunity but DR Congo deny him too as Aaron Wan-Bissaka clears it on the goalline. England are inching towards an equaliser, but DR Congo are holding fort.

35' ENG 0-1 COD

Brilliant cross from the right flank, Jude Bellingham slams a bullet header towards goal, but he's denied by DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi Nzau. Bellingham getting more involved than Harry Kane on the end of chances.

31' ENG 0-1 COD

England right-back Djed Spence drives up the right wing, dribbling past multiple defenders before being fouled by DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki. It's a clear foul, and Sadiki has been shown the yellow card. Free-kick for England on the right flank.

Declan Rice whips in the set piece, it hits defender Ezri Konsa in the box and goes just wide of goal! Konsa was totally unaware where the ball was, but it so nearly went in.

28' ENG 0-1 COD

Time for the hydration break. England have been second-best so far. Thomas Tuchel's side need to regroup and get their act together, because DR Congo have caught them by total surprise in the first 20-odd minutes. Not only has Brian Cipenga given DR Congo the lead, but DR Congo have also outdone England for desire, pressing and work-rate.

25' ENG 0-1 COD

DR Congo continue to threaten England, pressing relentless as England try to pass out of their own box. Yoanne Wissa nearly wins the ball back, before DR Congo's defence eventually get the ball. Jude Bellingham then slides in, trying to dispossess DR Congo, but ends up committing a foul. Yellow card shown to England's No. 10.

19' ENG 0-1 COD

England gaining momentum while DR Congo settle into a mid to low block. Marcus Rashford swings in a good cross into the box where Jude Bellingham had made a run. DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi Nzau judges the cross perfectly and comes out to collect it.

17' ENG 0-1 COD

GOOOAAAALLLLL! DR Congo take the lead against England! A cross in from the right flank goes beyond the English defence, left-winger Brian Cipenga arrives into the box on the left, and slams in a powerful low shot that beats Jordan Pickford and goes in! It's Cipenga's very first international goal. What a dramatic start!

7' ENG 0-1 COD

WE ARE LIVE! The match is underway at Atlanta Stadium. England early on the attack, with Declan Rice making a forward run into the box. DR Congo manage to prevent the danger.

1' ENG 0-0 COD

The national anthems have been sung, and now it's time for live action. As David Guetta and Sia's 'Titanium' song rings around the Atlanta Stadium, the players get ready for football. Grab your popcorn, get seated. It's time for FIFA World Cup action!

We are just about 10 minutes away from kick off at the Atlanta Stadium in the match between England and DR Congo. The players are lining up in the tunnel, and are about to enter the pitch. The stadium is packed. Time for the national anthems, and then live action! Stay tuned.

The winner of today's Round of 32 match between England and DR Congo will face co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16. Mexico qualified to the last 16 yesterday with a convincing 2-0 win over Ecuador, and they wait today's winner in what would be another massive game at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca. 

Harry Kane may be the top-scorer in world football in the 2025-26 season, but it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Jude Bellingham has been England's best player so far at FIFA World Cup 2026. Bellingham scored the winning goal in both of England's group stage wins, against Croatia and Panama, and has arguably been the best midfielder of the tournament so far.

Harry Kane started his FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a brace against Croatia in England's first game. But since then, he has managed just one more goal in England's two other group matches. As a result, Kane is now three goals behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot charts.

A hattrick today will not only make him England's top-scorer in the World Cup knockout history, but also tie him with Mbappe and Messi in this edition's Golden Boot race.

DR Congo have already achieved a historic resulting during FIFA World Cup 2026, holding Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a 0-0 draw to win their first-ever point in the tournament. On that day, DR Congo had gone with a five-man defence. Today, they're going to start with a four-man backline, looking to stop the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.

DR Congo XI vs England: Here's DR Congo's starting XI for the Round of 32 clash against England. A number of stars in the team with Premier League experience, such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, captain Chancel Mbemba, midfielder Noah Sadiki and star forward Yoanne Wissa. Indian-origin midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy also starts.

La Compo

Angleterre
Atlanta Stadium - Atlanta
Coup d'envoi : 17H00 (Kinshasa)

Mpasi
Wan Bissaka - Tuanzebe - Mbemba (C) - Masuaku
Mukau - Moutoussamy - Sadiki
Mbuku - Wissa - Cipenga

Tous derriere nos Léopards ! #AllezLesLéopards pic.twitter.com/ZLimtAX5o2

— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) July 1, 2026

DR Congo's Round of 32 match against England is their first-ever knockout match at FIFA World Cups. DR Congo qualified for the World Cup only once before (as Zaire in 1974), when they did not qualify to the knockouts. But this time around, they have, after finishing third in a tough Group K.

England captain and star striker Harry Kane is his country's leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cups, but he needs three goals today to become his nation's leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout games. Kane has three in knockouts, one behind 1966 World Cup-winning legend Geoff Hurst, and three behind 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner Gary Lineker.

England XI vs DR Congo: A couple of interesting calls by Thomas Tuchel, as England announce their starting XI to take on DR Congo. Declan Rice is back in midfield, but also a shock as Bukayo Saka is on the bench! Noni Madueke replaces Saka on the right-wing. Djed Spence starts at right-back, a position where England are suffering an injury crisis. 

Our team news for DR Congo! pic.twitter.com/eNjGs5VjeD

— England (@England) July 1, 2026

Hello and welcome to NDTV Sports, for the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between England and DR Congo. We are at the Atlanta Stadium today, for a highly-awaited contest. Stay tuned for all the live updates!