Wednesday 1st July 2026 – Result
What level of anxiety were you at when, with 75 minutes played, England were still down 0 – 1? Whatever level it was it was gone just a minute later when Mr H Kane equalised in the 76th.
That’s not say England weren’t trying for nigh on 70 minutes after an unmarked Cipenga on the left scored for Dr Congo in the 7th. For the first half they were trying DR Congo’s luck which, obstinately, held solid with players other than goalie Mpasi assisting with keeping the ball out – Wan-Bissaka for one taking a blast to the body on the line from Rashford just 6 yards away.
But did lady luck change sides just before the break, denying DR Congo’s Wissa an easy goal and steering the ball instead to the base of England’s right-hand post? If she did it was a leaning towards England rather than full adoption as still Mpasi persevered at DR Congo’s end with a fine diving save to a Bellingham header towards the goal’s bottom left in the extra time of the first half. And moments later, still in extra time of the first half, saving another certain goal by being simply in the way of a Mr H Kane power kick also 6 yards out.
England had left the 1st half showing signs that they believed 0-1 was not going to be the final score with Mpasi countering with a strong argument that he thought it could be. And so that’s how the second half continued with England ramping up the pressure and Mpasi surviving it.
Some substitutions followed and these fresh legs can often make a difference. So it was Gordon just 15 minutes after he became England’s left winger set up Mr H Kane to head into the left end of Mpasi’s goal and equalise.
Just 10 minutes after that, at 86 minutes, it was 2-1 and all concerns of a defeat to a minnow were gone and then the final whistle was blown.
Well done England!
Quickie highlights by FIFA, no ads, opens in a new tab, England in white and D. R. Congo in light blue:
https://www.fifa.com/en/watch/6B2He3tAKrjUSIRJYbFNUV
This looks like a good case of “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, ie coming from behind and winning in the regular match time rather than having to play some more before going into a penalty shoot out. Just got to be good for team morale.
Now it’s off to Mexico City on, for us in British Summer Time, a 1am game on Monday 6th July against Mexico.