DR Congo and Senegal bowed out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after both African teams came within touching distance of historic victories, only for late comebacks to send England and Belgium through to the Round of 16.
In Atlanta, Harry Kane struck twice in the final 15 minutes to pull England through against tournament debutants DR Congo. In Seattle, Belgium came from 2-0 down with five minutes remaining to eliminate Senegal after extra time.
DR Congo had never previously played a World Cup knockout match, but Sebastien Desabre’s side showed no nerves against one of football’s traditional powers.
The Leopards stunned England after just seven minutes when Brian Cipenga scored his first international goal. Chancel Mbemba flicked on a cross-field delivery and Cipenga, left unmarked inside the area, fired a low shot past Jordan Pickford at his near post.
England struggled to respond against a disciplined Congolese defence and were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who produced superb saves from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane while Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared Marcus Rashford’s effort off the line.
The West Africans nearly doubled their lead before the interval when Yoane Wissa struck the post after another dangerous attack.
England’s quality eventually showed. Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions changed the game — Anthony Gordon delivered a cross for Kane to head home the equaliser in the 75th minute before the England captain turned sharply and scored with a brilliant strike 11 minutes later to complete the comeback.
The victory sent England into a Round of 16 match with co-hosts Mexico. Congo DR leave the tournament having pushed England further than most expected.
“We’re disappointed because we really believed we could do it,” Desabre said afterwards. “We may have lacked a little experience, but that’s the nature of the game. We’re learning and we’re continuing to improve.”
Senegal’s exit was harder to take. The Lions of Teranga dominated Belgium for much of their Round of 32 clash in Seattle.
Habib Diarra gave Senegal a deserved first-half lead after Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could only parry Ismaila Sarr’s effort into his path. Senegal doubled their lead shortly after the break when Sarr scored, bringing down Moussa Niakhate’s long pass before finishing beyond Courtois.
At 2-0 with five minutes remaining, the last 16 was in sight. Instead, Belgium produced one of the tournament’s most remarkable escapes.
Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute before Youri Tielemans headed home Leandro Trossard’s cross three minutes later to force extra time. With penalties approaching, Tielemans was brought down inside the area in the dying moments of extra time and converted the resulting spot-kick after a VAR review to complete a dramatic 3-2 victory.
“This hurts,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. “We gave everything but unfortunately we weren’t able to hold on to our two-goal lead.”
