Harry Kane’s match-winning brace against DR Congo did far more than rescue England’s World Cup campaign. Within the space of 11 unforgettable second-half minutes at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the England captain matched one of football’s most enduring records before immediately surpassing it, climbing above Brazilian icon Pelé on the FIFA World Cup’s all-time scoring chart while simultaneously moving into second place in England’s World Cup knockout goalscoring history. The performance also strengthened his position among the greatest tournament forwards the game has produced.England appeared to be heading for a stunning Round of 32 elimination after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a seventh-minute lead and the African side protected their advantage deep into the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s team dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their superiority into goals until Kane produced another decisive performance on football’s biggest stage.
An 11-minute spell that rewrote the record books
England’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon accelerated down the left flank before delivering an inviting cross into the six-yard area. Kane escaped his marker with trademark movement and powered a downward header beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to restore parity.That goal carried historic significance. It took Kane’s World Cup tally to 12 goals, drawing him level with Pelé, whose dozen goals came across just 16 World Cup appearances while helping Brazil win an unprecedented three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
England’s Harry Kane (9) scores his side’s first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kane was not finished.With England continuing to push for a winner, Gordon again played a decisive role in the 86th minute. After England recycled possession from a partially cleared attack, the winger delivered another dangerous ball into a crowded penalty area. Kane reacted quickest inside the congestion, creating just enough space before rifling a powerful finish into the top-right corner to complete England’s comeback and seal a 2-1 victory.That strike moved Kane onto 13 career World Cup goals, taking him beyond Pelé on the tournament’s all-time scoring list. In the space of just 11 minutes, he had first equalled one of football’s greatest goalscorers before overtaking him outright.The brace also lifted Kane to five goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing him level with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who have both scored six times, remain ahead as the race for the tournament’s leading goalscorer intensifies.
Climbing England’s greatest World Cup milestones
The double also reshaped England’s own World Cup history.Kane’s equaliser and winner took his career knockout-stage tally to five World Cup goals, moving him beyond Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four knockout goals have stood among England’s greatest tournament achievements since the 1966 World Cup triumph.Only Gary Lineker, with six World Cup knockout goals, now stands ahead of Kane on England’s all-time list, leaving the current captain just one goal away from matching another historic national record as England prepare for the Round of 16.His wider international achievements continue to grow alongside those World Cup milestones. Kane has now scored 20 goals in major international tournaments for England, comprising 13 goals at the FIFA World Cup and seven at the UEFA European Championship. He already stands as England’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer with 84 goals in 117 international appearances, while also holding the outright record for the most goals scored by an England player at major tournaments.The Bayern Munich striker first announced himself as a World Cup marksman by winning the Golden Boot at Russia 2018, scoring six goals as England reached the semi-finals. His latest brace means he now sits on five goals in the 2026 tournament, just one short of matching that personal best.Against DR Congo, Kane also made his 15th World Cup start, the most by any England men’s outfield player, while taking his remarkable club-and-country total for the season to 72 goals. His display was recognised with the Superior Player of the Match award after dragging England back from the brink of elimination.England’s World Cup journey continues with a Round of 16 meeting against co-hosts Mexico, but Kane arrives there having once again demonstrated why he remains one of the defining players of his generation. In a tournament already filled with record-breaking performances, the England captain needed only 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark on World Cup history.
