Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to see England through to the World Cup round of 16 as they left it late to fight back and overcome a dogged Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 on Wednesday.
Kane produced another match-winning performance for his country as the captain equalised with a 75th-minute header before thrashing home a stunning winner four minutes from time after England had trailed for more than an hour of an absorbing match.
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Brian Cipenga gave the Congolese a shock seventh-minute lead before Kane delivered his heroics to save his team from an ignominious defeat.
England, who enjoyed overwhelming support in the 68,239-strong crowd, needed all the patience and perseverance they could muster to avoid what would have been one of the tournament’s biggest upsets and now head to Mexico City to play co-hosts Mexico on Sunday.