Harry Kane’s match-winning brace against DR Congo did more than salvage England’s World Cup campaign. Over the course 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 quickly surpassing it, moving above Brazilian icon Pelé on the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring chart while simultaneously moving into second place in England’s World Cup knockout history. The performance also cemented its position among the greatest tournament forwards the sport has ever produced.England looked set for a shock Round of 32 elimination after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a seventh-minute lead and the African side protected their advantage into the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their goalscoring advantage until Kane produced another decisive performance on football’s biggest stage.
An 11-minute spell that rewrote the record books
England’s breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon sped down the left flank before delivering an impressive cross in the six-yard area. Kane escaped his marker with a trademark move and drove a downward header beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to restore parity.That goal has historic significance. Kane took his World Cup tally to 12 goals, drawing him level with Pelé, whose dozen goals came in 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 isn’t done yet.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 the crowded penalty area. Kane reacted quickest in the congestion, creating 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 to 13 World Cup career goals, moving him past Pelé on the tournament’s all-time scoring list. In just 11 minutes, he first matched one of football’s greatest goalscorers before quickly overtaking him.The brace also took Kane to five goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, putting him level with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who both scored six times, remain ahead as the race for the tournament’s top goalscorers intensifies.
Climbing England’s biggest World Cup milestones
The double also changed England’s own World Cup history.Kane’s equalizer and winner took his career knockout-stage tally to five World Cup goals, moving him ahead of Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four knockout goals stand among England’s biggest tournament achievements since their 1966 World Cup victory.Only Gary Lineker, with six World Cup knockout goals, now tops 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 continued to grow alongside the World Cup milestones. Kane has now scored 20 goals in major international tournaments for England, including 13 goals in the FIFA World Cup and seven in the UEFA European Championship. He now stands as England’s men’s leading goalscorer of all time with 84 goals in 117 international appearances, while also holding the outright record for the most goals scored by an England player in 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 at the 2026 tournament, just one short of matching his personal best.Against DR Congo, Kane also made his 15th World Cup start, the most of any England outfield player, while taking his outstanding club-and-country total for the season to 72 goals. His performance was recognized 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 has arrived there showing yet again why he remains one of the defining players of his generation. In a tournament already littered with record-breaking performances, the England captain needed just 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark in World Cup history.