England vs DR Congo Player Ratings: Harry Kane Brace Sends England Through

England are into the last 16 of the World Cup 2026 — but they were made to work for it. Thomas Tuchel’s side fell behind to Brian Cipenga’s early goal against DR Congo before Harry Kane struck twice late on to win 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here are our England player ratings. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.

Key match stats

England player ratings vs DR Congo

• GK — Jordan Pickford: 6.5/10 — Beaten by Cipenga’s early strike but otherwise untroubled.
• RB — Djed Spence: 6.5/10 — Steady down the right before being withdrawn.
• CB — Ezri Konsa: 7/10 — Composed, 97% passing.
• CB — Marc Guéhi: 7.5/10 — Commanding at the back with a flawless 100% pass record.
• LB — Nico O’Reilly: 7/10 — Assured on the left, 91% passing.
• DM — Declan Rice: 7.5/10 — Bossed midfield with 96% passing.
• CM — Elliot Anderson: 7/10 — Energetic box-to-box display over 90 minutes.
• RW — Noni Madueke: 6.5/10 — Lively before making way.
• AM — Jude Bellingham: 7/10 — Busy and involved throughout.
• LW — Marcus Rashford: 6.5/10 — Bright in his hour on the pitch before being replaced.
• ST — Harry Kane: 9/10 — The matchwinner. A clinical second-half brace on 75 and 86 minutes turned the game.

Substitutes

• Anthony Gordon: 8/10 — Game-changing cameo, setting up both of Kane’s goals.
• Bukayo Saka: 7/10 — Injected fresh threat off the bench.
• Eberechi Eze: 6.5/10 — Neat and tidy after coming on.

England vs DR Congo: how it unfolded

It was a scare for the Three Lions. Brian Cipenga stunned England with a seventh-minute opener and DR Congo held firm until the introduction of Anthony Gordon changed everything. The substitute created both goals for Harry Kane, who struck on 75 and 86 minutes to complete a 2-1 comeback. England out-shot Congo 16-7 and, for all the early alarm, booked their place in the Round of 16.

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