Harry Kane came to England’s rescue like so many times before with his double downing DR Congo 2-1 to ease past the World Cup last 32 phase and set up a glamour last 16 tie with Mexico.
The match, in Mexico City on Sunday, will provide a unique test with altitude and humidity providing added factors for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The Three Lions struggled for large spells of the last 32 tie in Atlanta, but their captain held his nerve with a brilliant double to paper over the cracks of what continues to be a problem position at right-back.
Tuchel may well consider changes, with Declan Rice operating at right-back in the closing stages against DR Congo, while Anthony Gordon changed the game in place of Marcus Rashford on the left.
Follow all the reaction to England’s dramatic win over DR Congo below and the build-up to Sunday’s exciting tie with co-hosts Mexico:
Mexico v England build-up after World Cup victory over DR Congo
- England come from behind to avoid DR Congo humiliation in World Cup last 32
- Harry Kane heads home 75th-minute equaliser and fires in 86th-minute winner for a tense 2-1 win
- England face a blockbuster tie against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16
- ANALYSIS: England's right-back farce leaves manager with one option
- ANALYSIS: The secret to Harry Kane’s greatness – and why this World Cup is different
- Harry Kane on 'disadvantage' for England against Mexico
England player ratings vs DR Congo as Harry Kane saves Three Lions inspires thrilling World Cup comeback
10:12 , Jack Rathborn
Jordan Pickford 6
Should do better for the Brian Cipenga strike, as crisp as it was, as he’ll want to keep that out at the near post. Solid enough for the remainder of the game.
Djed Spence 5
Sucked in by Chancel Mbemba’s floated ball and failed to make contact, even if he had to cover to make up for his fellow defenders shuffling over too much, but then he struggled with Cipenga one-on-one in a tough afternoon’s work.
Ezri Konsa 5
Poor for the Wissa strike against the post as the Newcastle forward wriggled free and failed to bring organisation and a platform during a frantic first half.
England player ratings vs DR Congo as Kane saves Three Lions at World Cup
Thomas Tuchel makes England World Cup plea to parents: ‘Write an excuse for school’
10:06 , Jack Rathborn
"I was happy to watch the first half and then it wasn't on, and I slept at 10 o'clock," Tuchel told reporters after England's win.
"Very unusual for me, but I have somehow a crazy early bedtime during this World Cup and I didn't see it. I saw the result, of course, and I saw that they didn't concede, and it will be a tough one."
Harry Kane on 'disadvantage' for England against Mexico
10:03 , Jack Rathborn
Kane: "My understanding is we cannot adapt to the altitude. It's a huge advantage Mexico have. There's not enough time.
"We knew that before. It's just a disadvantage with which we will have to deal. But we showed the attitude."
The secret to Harry Kane’s greatness – and why this World Cup is different
10:00 , Jack Rathborn
After Harry Kane put it into the top corner, and the bottom corner, Declan Rice maybe put it best after a remarkable 2-1 win over DR Congo.
England’s striker, Rice said, is just “inevitable”.
Kane is as close to a guarantee as you can get. This is why the England team is almost entirely built around their captain, it’s why descriptions of “the Harry Kane team” aren’t a total exaggeration.
Just look at the range he displayed in this very game to inspire this first come-from-behind England win in a World Cup knockout match since 1966.
The secret to Harry Kane’s greatness – and why this World Cup is different
Daunting Mexico City test awaits England in last 16 of World Cup 2026
09:51 , Jack Rathborn
Good morning and welcome to the Independent's live build-up to England's last 16 tie with Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday night.
Harry Kane’s double rescued the Three Lions in Atlanta, but an entirely different test awaits against the co-hosts.
El Tri will have a cauldron of noise, plus the altitude and humidity providing wildcard factors that could hit Thomas Tuchel’s side’s hopes.
We’ll have reaction from the DR Congo victory and all the build-up to this Sunday’s game.
