Mexico v England LIVE: Kane addresses daunting Mexico City test in blockbuster World Cup tie after DR Congo comeback

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Mexico v England LIVE: Kane addresses daunting Mexico City test in blockbuster World Cup tie after DR Congo comeback

England’s captain inspired a DR Congo comeback to book a blockbuster last 16 tie in Mexico City with a unique and daunting test for Thomas Tuchel’s side

Harry Kane came to England’s rescue like so many times before with his double downing DR Congo 2-1 to ease past the World Cup last 32 phase and set up a glamour last 16 tie with Mexico.

The match, in Mexico City on Sunday, will provide a unique test with altitude and humidity providing added factors for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

The Three Lions struggled for large spells of the last 32 tie in Atlanta, but their captain held his nerve with a brilliant double to paper over the cracks of what continues to be a problem position at right-back.

Tuchel may well consider changes, with Declan Rice operating at right-back in the closing stages against DR Congo, while Anthony Gordon changed the game in place of Marcus Rashford on the left.

Follow all the reaction to England’s dramatic win over DR Congo below and the build-up to Sunday’s exciting tie with co-hosts Mexico:

Thomas Tuchel backs 'shark' Harry Kane to keep up golden boot chase

Thomas Tuchel praised England’s “shark” Harry Kane for smelling blood like fellow World Cup stars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.

The game’s best players have stepped up in eye-catching fashion during this summer’s tournament.

France forward Mbappe leads the race for the Golden Boot with six goals and two assists, but Argentina star Messi is also on six and Haaland is just one behind.Kane joined the Norway sharpshooter on five goals with his match-winning brace in England’s 2-1 World Cup round-of-32 comeback victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

England boss Tuchel said of the quartet: “They’re all sharks. They’re all sharks. If they smell blood, they come and score.”

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 11:00

How Jude Bellingham became England’s very un-English superstar

round Thomas Tuchel’s squad, Jude Bellingham is now seen as having “matured”. How couldn’t he, when he’s already twice been a match-winner in England’s World Cup 2026 campaign?

Bellingham is stepping up in the way stars do.

Either way, the squad chemistry is very different to Euro 2024, when there was a lot of commentary about how the then-21-year-old had been absorbing the 10-part Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance.

How Jude Bellingham became England’s very un-English superstar

With parallels to Michael Jordan and an ‘attitude’ more recognisable in American athletes, Bellingham is carving his own path as a Black football superstar and England must learn to adapt, writes Miguel Delaney

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:50

England break 60-year World Cup curse against DR Congo to spark fresh hope

Yesterday’s win might be more significant for England than first appeared – the last time they conceded the first goal in a World Cup game and came back to win was the 1966 final.

Kane’s double clinched just the second-ever time England have landed a win after an opponent broke the deadlock in a knockout tie, according to Fox Sports, with five draws and 17 defeats in the 25 matches.

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:26

England's right-back farce leaves manager with one option

Thomas Tuchel’s prowess in knockout football helped persuade the FA to appoint him England manager. As his side stumbled then surged into the last 16 of the World Cup 2026, it is debateable if it was underlined against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tuchel may have been the catalyst for a comeback; with his substitutions, with his interventions at hydration breaks.

Yet the greatest evidence that Tuchel is the king of the knockouts was supplied by shutouts. In 2021, his Chelsea won the Champions League when conceding just twice in their last seven games. If his England can add the greatest prize in international football, it may have to come another way.

England’s right-back farce continues to leave Tuchel with one option

Kane’s double helped England complete a famous comeback against DR Congo to book a last 16 place against Mexico on Sunday

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:21

Incredible Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have huge World Cup questions to answer

Harry Kane scored one of the great England goals to set up a grand World Cup occasion at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, but only after a general performance entirely unworthy of such descriptions, writes Miguel Delaney from Atlanta.

Thomas Tuchel’s side got away with one against a defiant and spirited Democratic Republic of Congo, but only after Kane let fly to remind everyone exactly why this entire team is built around him.

He is central to hopes that seem to dwindle with every display that actually moves England closer to the trophy.

Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have huge World Cup questions to answer

England 2-1 DR Congo: Kane dug England out of a massive hole with his two late goals to set up a mouthwatering last-16 tie with Mexico at the Azteca but Tuchel has plenty to ponder

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:17

England player ratings vs DR Congo as Harry Kane saves Three Lions inspires thrilling World Cup comeback

Jordan Pickford 6

Should do better for the Brian Cipenga strike, as crisp as it was, as he’ll want to keep that out at the near post. Solid enough for the remainder of the game.

Djed Spence 5

Sucked in by Chancel Mbemba’s floated ball and failed to make contact, even if he had to cover to make up for his fellow defenders shuffling over too much, but then he struggled with Cipenga one-on-one in a tough afternoon’s work.

Ezri Konsa 5

Poor for the Wissa strike against the post as the Newcastle forward wriggled free and failed to bring organisation and a platform during a frantic first half.

England player ratings vs DR Congo as Kane saves Three Lions at World Cup

England 2-1 DR Congo: The Three Lions survived a major scare after Kane’s double in Atlanta, setting up a last 16 tie with Mexico

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:12

Thomas Tuchel makes England World Cup plea to parents: ‘Write an excuse for school’

"I was happy to watch the first half and then it wasn't on, and I slept at 10 o'clock," Tuchel told reporters after England's win.

"Very unusual for me, but I have somehow a crazy early bedtime during this World Cup and I ⁠didn't see it. I saw the result, of course, and I saw that they didn't concede, and it will be a tough one."

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:06

Harry Kane on 'disadvantage' for England against Mexico

Kane: "My understanding is we cannot adapt to the altitude. It's a huge advantage Mexico have. There's not enough time.

"We knew that before. It's just a disadvantage with which we will have to deal. But we showed the attitude."

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:03

The secret to Harry Kane’s greatness – and why this World Cup is different

After Harry Kane put it into the top corner, and the bottom corner, Declan Rice maybe put it best after a remarkable 2-1 win over DR Congo.

England’s striker, Rice said, is just “inevitable”.

Kane is as close to a guarantee as you can get. This is why the England team is almost entirely built around their captain, it’s why descriptions of “the Harry Kane team” aren’t a total exaggeration.

Just look at the range he displayed in this very game to inspire this first come-from-behind England win in a World Cup knockout match since 1966.

The secret to Harry Kane’s greatness – and why this World Cup is different

Harry Kane’s remarkable season continued with a double to inspire a memorable World Cup comeback win for England but, as Miguel Delaney details, it was enabled by a unique mindset and vast experience

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:00

Daunting Mexico City test awaits England in last 16 of World Cup 2026

Good morning and welcome to the Independent's live build-up to England's last 16 tie with Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday night.

Harry Kane’s double rescued the Three Lions in Atlanta, but an entirely different test awaits against the co-hosts.

El Tri will have a cauldron of noise, plus the altitude and humidity providing wildcard factors that could hit Thomas Tuchel’s side’s hopes.

We’ll have reaction from the DR Congo victory and all the build-up to this Sunday’s game.

Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 09:51

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