England striker Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to see England through to the last 16 at the World Cup, but it was a rescue act as they overcame a dogged Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday. Kane produced yet another match-winning performance for the heavily fancied English, who had trailed for more than an hour after Brain Cipenga put the Congolese in a shock seventh-minute lead. These are the DR Congo player ratings from the match: Lionel Mpasi
(9): As good a performance as any by a goalkeeper in this tournament, Mpasi made save after save to keep England at bay before finally being beaten. He will hopefully find a better club for his career going ahead. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (8): The London-born right back was not as dynamic as in the previous game but made an important goalline save to deny Marcus Rashford and also set up Yoane Wissa for a stonewall chance that hit the outside of the post. Axel Tuanzebe (7):
Excellent stops at various stages of the game as he kept a close eye on Kane, but on the one occasion he allowed the England skipper to evade him, Kane got the all-important equaliser. Chancel Mbemba (7): A dogged performance from the captain, trying to rally the troops and keep the defence intact. He might be tempted to retire now but then the next Cup of Nations is not far away. Arthur Masuaku (5): A few good tackles from the left back but he also
had to deal with the powerful running of Djede Spence and was caught for pace more than once. Ngalayel Mukau (6): A successful addition to the midfield with Cedric Bakambu sacrificed so that Congo could try and counter the midfield prowess of Elliot Anderson or Jude Bellingham. Nathanael Mbuku (7): Had a few adventurous runs at England and dribbles at the opposing defence but ran out of steam and was replaced by Meshack Elia in the 64th minute. Samuel Moutoussamy (7): Has had a World
Cup full of steady performances in the midfield, with constant working off the ball, and linking up the defence and attack. Noah Sadiki (6): Freedom to move forward when he could and tried hard to make incisions into the English lines but without much success. Brian Cipenga (8): A day he will never forget with a right-footed shot from the left winger for his first international goal. His dribbling gave England plenty of headaches. Yoane Wissa (5): It has been a poor tournament for Congo’s
star striker and he missed a sitter near the end of the first half that had he scored would have put DRC 2-0 up and sewn panic among the English. Meshack Elia (4): Came on to keep teasing the English defence from the flank but spent his time trying to get fouls out of the referee and when he didn’t, was then moaning too much. Theo Bongonda, Edo Kayembe, Joris Kayembe and Fiston Mayele also came on as substitutes but did not have enough time
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DR Congo vs England, Harry Kane, Brain Cipenga, World Cup last 16, Atlanta, player ratings, Lionel Mpasi