Harry Kane’s win against DR Congo did more than save England’s World Cup campaign. In an unforgettable 11 minutes of the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the England captain equaled football’s all-time record before passing it immediately, surpassing Brazilian icon Pelé on the FIFA World Cup all-time chart as he moved into second place in England’s World Cup history for goals scored. This performance further solidified his position among the leading players the game has produced.England looked set to progress to a 32-match winning streak after Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead in the seventh minute and the African side secured their lead in the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated from place to place but struggled to convert their dominance into goals until Kane once again made the most of the ball.
An 11-minute recording that also broke the record books
England’s breakthrough came in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon raced down the left flank before delivering an inviting cross into the six-yard box. Kane escaped his marker with a trademark switch and curled a low shot past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to restore the tie.That goal had a lot of meaning. It took Kane’s 12 goals at the World Cup, moving him level with Pelé, whose 12 goals only appeared in 16 World Cup matches as he helped Brazil win three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
England’s Harry Kane (9) scores his first goal during the 32nd World Cup soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kane didn’t finish.With England continuing to push for a winner, Gordon made another big play in the 86th minute. After England once again used an unprecedented attack, the winger delivered another dangerous ball into the penalty area. Kane reacted quickly in the middle of the breakdown, creating enough space before finishing powerfully into the right corner to complete England’s comeback and seal a 2-1 victory.The strike took Kane’s tally to 13 World Cup goals, moving him past Pelé on the tournament’s all-time scoring list. In just 11 minutes, he started to match one of the best players in football before he found him.The campaign also took Kane to five goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pipping Erling Haaland in the standings for the Golden Boot. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who scored six times, are close behind as the competition’s top goalscorer heats up.
Riding the biggest World Cup show in England
The pair also changed England’s World Cup record.Kane’s goal-scorer tally made it five World Cup goals, moving him past Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four-goal haul was England’s most successful since the 1966 World Cup triumph.Only Gary Lineker, who has six World Cup goals, is ahead of Kane on the all-time record for England, leaving the current captain one goal short of equaling another world record as England prepare for the Round of 16.His international activities continue to grow with the events of the World Cup. Kane has now scored 20 goals in major international competitions for England, including 13 goals at the FIFA World Cup and seven at the UEFA European Championship. He already stands as England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 84 goals in 117 international appearances, holding the record for most goals scored by an England player in major competitions.The Bayern Munich striker announced himself as a World Cup winner by winning the Golden Boot at Russia 2018, scoring six goals as England reached the semi-finals. His recent strengthening means he now has five goals in the 2026 campaign, just one short of his best.Against DR Congo, Kane made his 15th World Cup start, the most by an England player, as he took his international tally to 72. His performance was recognized with the Superior Player of the Match award after pulling England back from the brink of defeat.England’s World Cup tour continues with a Round of 16 meeting against hosts Mexico, but Kane will get there having once again shown why he remains one of the leading players of his generation. In a tournament already full of great performances, the England captain needed just 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark in World Cup history.
