England’s Harry Kane (9 years old) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Harry Kane’s winning brace against the Democratic Republic of Congo did much more than save England’s World Cup campaign. Within an unforgettable 11 minutes of the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the England captain equaled one of the most enduring records in football before immediately surpassing it, leapfrogging Brazilian icon Pele in the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring list, while at the same time moving into second place in England’s history for goals scored in the knockout stages.
The performance also cemented his place among the greatest strikers the game has produced.England appeared to be heading towards a stunning exit in the round of 32 after Brian Sibenga gave the Democratic Republic of Congo the lead in the seventh minute and the African team maintained their advantage in the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their advantage into goals 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 raced down the left flank before sending an attractive cross into the six-yard box. Kane evaded his mark with a brilliant move and headed home goalkeeper Lionel Mbasi to restore parity.This goal had historical importance. It took Kane’s World Cup tally to 12 goals, putting him level with Pele, whose 10 goals came in just 16 World Cup matches while helping Brazil win three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
England’s Harry Kane (9) scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kane isn’t finished.As England continued to press for victory, Gordon again played a crucial role in the 86th minute. After England recovered the ball from a partially cleared attack, the winger sent another dangerous ball into a crowded penalty area. Kane reacted quickest into the crowd, creating enough space before curling a shot into the top right corner to complete England’s comeback and seal a 2-1 win.The goal took Kane’s tally to 13 World Cup goals, moving him past Pele in the tournament’s all-time top scorers list. In just 11 minutes, he equaled for the first time one of football’s greatest goalscorers before surpassing him.
The brace also took Kane to five goals in the 2026 World Cup, putting him level with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who have scored six goals, remain ahead as the race for the tournament’s top scorer heats up.
Climb England’s greatest World Cup achievements
The duo also reshaped England’s World Cup history.Kane’s equalizer and winner took his tally in the knockout stages to five World Cup goals, moving him past Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four knockout goals stand among England’s greatest achievements in the tournament since they won the 1966 World Cup.Only Gary Lineker, who scored six World Cup knockout goals, now surpasses Kane in the list of England’s all-time best players, leaving the current captain just one goal away from equaling another historic national record as England prepare for the round of 16.
His wider international achievements continue to grow alongside his World Cup achievements. Kane has now scored 20 goals in major international tournaments for England, including 13 in the World Cup and seven in the UEFA European Championship. He is already England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 84 goals in 117 international matches, while also holding the outright record for the most goals scored by an English player in major tournaments.The Bayern Munich striker first announced himself as a World Cup top scorer by winning the Golden Boot at Russia 2018, where he scored six goals to take England to the semi-finals. His latest brace means he now has five goals in the 2026 tournament, just one away from matching a personal best.
Against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kane also made his 15th World Cup appearance, the most goals of any English player, while taking his impressive goal total for club and country for the season to 72 goals.
His display was honored with a man of the match award after bringing England back from the brink of elimination.England’s World Cup journey continues with a round of 16 match against co-hosts Mexico, but Kane arrives there having once again shown why he remains one of the special players of his generation. In a tournament already packed with record-setting performances, the England captain needed just 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark on World Cup history.