Harry Kane’s match-winner against DR Congo did more than salvage England’s World Cup campaign. In the space of 11 unforgettable seconds at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the England captain set one of football’s most enduring records before immediately breaking it, surpassing Brazilian icon Pelé in the all-time FIFA World Cup rankings while simultaneously moving into second place in England’s World Cup goalscoring history. The performance also cemented his position among the greatest tournament forwards the game has produced.England looked headed for a stunning Round of 32 elimination after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a seventh-minute lead and the African side protected their advantage in the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their superiority 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 sped down the left flank before delivering an inviting cross into the six-yard box. Kane escaped his marker with trademark movement and fed a downward header past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to restore parity.That goal had historical significance. Kane’s World Cup tally took him to 12 goals, bringing him level with Pelé, whose ten-goal tally came in just 16 World Cup appearances while helping Brazil win an unprecedented three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
England’s Harry Kane (9) scores his team’s first goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kane wasn’t done.With England continuing to push for a winner, Gordon again played a decisive role in the 86th minute. After England recycled possession from a partially broken attack, the winger delivered another dangerous ball into a crowded penalty area. Kane reacted quickest inside the congestion, creating just enough space before rifling a powerful finish into the top right corner to complete England’s comeback and seal a 2-1 victory.That strike moved Kane to 13 career World Cup goals, moving him past Pelé on the tournament’s all-time scoring list. In the space of only 11 minutes, he had previously equaled one of the greatest scorers in football before surpassing the right.The brace also took Kane to five goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, putting him level with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot rankings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who scored six times, remain ahead of the intensifying race for the tournament’s top scorer.
Climb the biggest stages of England’s World Cup
The double also reshaped England’s World Cup history.Kane’s equalizer and winner took his knockout career haul to five World Cup goals, moving him past Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four knockout goals were among England’s biggest tournament hauls since the 1966 World Cup triumph.Only Gary Lineker, with six goals in World Cup qualifiers, is now ahead of Kane on England’s all-time scoring list, leaving the current captain one goal away from another historic national record as England prepare for the Round of 16.His wider international achievements continue to grow alongside those World Cup milestones. Kane has now scored 20 goals in major international tournaments for England, including 13 goals at the FIFA World Cup and seven at the UEFA European Championship. He is already England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 84 goals in 117 international appearances, while also holding the all-time record for the most goals scored by an English player in major tournaments.The Bayern Munich forward made his debut as a World Cup goalscorer by winning the Golden Boot at Russia 2018, scoring six goals as England reached the semi-finals. His latest brace means he now sits on five goals in the 2026 tournament, just short of matching his personal best.Against DR Congo, Kane also made his 15th World Cup start, the most of any England men’s outfield player, while taking his club and country record tally for the season to 72 goals. His performance was recognized with the Man of the Match award after pulling England back from the brink of elimination.England’s World Cup journey continues with a round of 16 meeting against co-hosts Mexico, but Kane arrives there having once again shown why he remains one of the defining players of his generation. In a tournament already full of record-breaking performances, the England captain needed just 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark in World Cup history.