England and Belgium both advanced in the Round of 32 after performances that left fans holding their breath. Harry Kane rescued England with two goals against Congo DR after the Three Lions fell behind, while Belgium staged a late comeback against Senegal befo
When the night looked like it was slipping away, England kept pressing anyway. For 68 minutes against Congo DR, the scoreboard told a different story—Brian Cipenga had struck early and the Three Lions looked like a team running out of air.
They didn’t just find a way back. They roared. And by the time the whistle landed, it was Harry Kane who had turned a nearly ruined knockout stage into a lifeline.
Hours later, Belgium walked into their own kind of danger against Senegal. Up heading into the 80th minute. Senegal looked in control with a 2-0 lead and 1.90 expected goals in the first half. But the Red Devils refused to stay down—until a questionable penalty swung the game toward Belgium as extra time came into view.
The Round of 32 delivered its usual reminder: this World Cup doesn’t do safe. It never has.
England’s stumble nearly became a storybook exit—then Kane broke it open
Congo DR took the lead with an opening goal from Brian Cipenga. and for most of the match England played like they were chasing a shadow. The numbers reflected the tension on the pitch: England managed eight shots to Congo DR’s three. and England recorded 20 touches in the opposing box to Congo DR’s seven—but nothing looked like it was turning cleanly in England’s favor.
Djed Spence and Noni Madueke on the right side never settled into the rhythm England needed on both ends. Kane couldn’t solve Congo DR goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, and England missed all five of its big chances. For long stretches, it looked like dreams of a footy homecoming were fading minute by minute.
Then, in the 75th minute, Harry Kane finally found the level. After chasing his first career Ballon d’Or, the 32-year-old dragged his nation back with a header that tucked into the bottom-left corner to tie the game.
Just over 10 minutes later, Kane struck again. Receiving a pass at the edge of the box, he turned to his left to outrun the Congo defense and fired a right-footed rocket above Mpasi—who stood in place, unable to react.
The plan was always built around Kane. The wingers were meant to feed crosses, the midfielders were tasked with getting the ball into his feet inside the box, and the centre-backs were tasked with delivering the long balls that keep him dangerous.
England’s next step is already set: a match with co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca awaits.
Belgium’s golden generation nearly ran out of miracles—then got one call at exactly the right time
Senegal entered the late stages with the kind of advantage that changes how a game feels. Up heading into the 80th minute, they had held their structure and had 1.90 expected goals in the first half compared to Belgium’s 0.17.
Through the first 45 minutes, Senegal took the battle to the Belgians: five shots inside the box and a 2-0 scoreline to boot. The picture looked simple—Belgium might have the quality, but Senegal had the control.
Then the collapse started in bursts. In the 86th minute, substitute striker Romelu Lukaku scored when Thomas Meunier’s low cross found him. Three minutes later. Belgium levelled again: captain Youri Tielemans headed in as keeper Mory Diaw went for the punch. only for the ball to end up in the back of the net.
Belgium had momentum heading into extra time, and the final 30 minutes played out like two sides orbiting each other—near-inseparable, pressing, jostling, searching for the next decisive swing.
That swing came through a penalty that left room for doubt.
Lamine Camara was called for a foul in the box as he went for the ball against Tielemans. The report of contact was there—Camara did make contact—but the key issue was positioning: Tielemans was not in a position to get his foot on the ball. meaning it wasn’t a clear goal-scoring chance. Still, the decision stood.
Tielemans stepped up and finished the job calmly, converting to put his side up 3-2. Belgium then closed it out despite a free-kick opportunity 10 minutes into stoppage time.
Senegal will feel the sting. They let a two-goal lead slip with ten minutes to go. and yet the disappointment feels harsher because this is not the first time the tournament has asked them to give up what looked secure. For a team that could have been headed toward the AFCON stage as well, the late turn feels especially unforgiving.
Folarin Balogun’s night ended with the kind of swing that changes tournaments
While England and Belgium survived their scares, another headline formed in the other half of the day. Folarin Balogun has arguably been the USA’s best player at the tournament so far, and he delivered again.
He scored the opening goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he could have had two—his first major opportunity was ruled offside.
But his run could be forced to pause. Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute with a direct red card after stepping directly on Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle during a contest for the ball.
Whether or not the red card was worthy is open to debate. especially given that it looks worse in slow motion than it does in real time. What is not in doubt is the consequence: the USA will have to square off against Belgium without their star striker as he serves a suspension. and for a player who has been a line-leader for his country. the tournament momentum may be about to be tested.
Senegal’s lead was built on pressure at the restart
Senegal’s comeback threat didn’t appear out of nowhere. Unrelenting coming out of the half, they built a 2-0 lead from the foot of Ismaila Sarr.
Sarr outran the Belgian backline on a wicked long-ball from centre-back Moussa Niakhate, controlled it with his chest while sprinting, and fired a nasty half-volley—pushing off defender Arthur Theate.
Belgium had to chase the deficit, and when they did find their footing, the game delivered the kind of finish that never feels fully fair in the moment.
The week’s standout performers tell the story of narrow margins
1. Harry Kane (England): The all-time English goalscorer added two more to his tally on Wednesday, saving England from a historic disappointment.
2. Youri Tielemans (Belgium): Kevin De Bruyne might be the name everyone knows, but Tielemans finished with seven touches inside the box and netted the game-winning brace for Belgium.
3. Anthony Gordon (England): Overlooked after some boring performances in the group stage. the Scouse winger came on as a substitute against Congo DR and set his side up for success. assisting both of Kane’s goals and showing off the relentless pressing that made Barcelona fork up €80 million for him.
England’s next match is already set against Mexico at the Azteca. Belgium’s path continues too—one step further, without the luxury of calm. In a World Cup where certainty is rare, survival still feels like a victory all on its own.
World Cup England Congo DR Harry Kane Belgium Senegal Romelu Lukaku Youri Tielemans Lamine Camara Folarin Balogun Mexico
Kane always saves it, like clockwork.
So England were losing for like 68 minutes and then just… magically won? I didn’t think that happened anymore. Also what’s Congo DR??
That “questionable penalty” sounds like typical ref stuff. But if the expected goals was 1.90 for Senegal then why even award it? I’m confused, feels rigged but maybe it was legit.
England “advanced” but the article keeps saying it was a scare, like it should’ve been over. Also Congo DR and Senegal like what groups are these, I’m mixing it up with the whole World Cup qualifiers thing. Belgium coming back late always makes me nervous, and then extra time like of course. I guess fans were holding their breath but hey at least they made it.