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:England break 60-year World Cup curse against DR Congo to spark fresh hopeYesterday’s win might be more significant for England than first appeared – the last time they conceded the first goal in a World Cup game and came back to win was the 1966 final.Kane’s double clinched just the second-ever time England have landed a win after an opponent broke the deadlock in a knockout tie, according to Fox Sports, with five draws and 17 defeats in the 25 matches.Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:26England's right-back farce leaves manager with one optionThomas Tuchel’s prowess in knockout football helped persuade the FA to appoint him England manager. As his side stumbled then surged into the last 16 of the World Cup 2026, it is debateable if it was underlined against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tuchel may have been the catalyst for a comeback; with his substitutions, with his interventions at hydration breaks.Yet the greatest evidence that Tuchel is the king of the knockouts was supplied by shutouts. In 2021, his Chelsea won the Champions League when conceding just twice in their last seven games. If his England can add the greatest prize in international football, it may have to come another way.Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:21Incredible Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have huge World Cup questions to answerHe is central to hopes that seem to dwindle with every display that actually moves England closer to the trophy.Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:17England player ratings vs DR Congo as Harry Kane saves Three Lions inspires thrilling World Cup comebackJordan Pickford 6Should 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 5Sucked 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 5Poor 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.Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:12Thomas Tuchel makes England World Cup plea to parents: ‘Write an excuse for school’"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."Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:06Harry Kane on 'disadvantage' for England against MexicoKane: "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."(AP)Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:03The secret to Harry Kane’s greatness – and why this World Cup is differentEngland’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.Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 10:00Daunting Mexico City test awaits England in last 16 of World Cup 2026Good 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.Jack Rathborn2 July 2026 09:51