Harry Kane’s match-winning brace against DR Congo did a lot more than save England at the World Cup. Within 11 memorable second-half minutes at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the England captain equaled one of football’s longest-standing records before immediately surpassing it, moving above Brazilian icon Pelé on the all-time World Cup goalscoring charts, while also moving into second place in England’s World Cup knockout history. This performance also cemented his position among the best tournament strikers the game has produced.England appeared to be heading for an unlikely elimination in the round of 32 after Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead in the seventh minute and the African side protected their lead deep into the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their superiority into goals until Kane made another decisive play on football’s biggest stage.
An 11-minute spell that breaks the record books
England’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon sped down the left flank before sending an inviting cross into the six-yard box. Kane evaded his keeper with a telling move and restored parity with a downward header over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.That goal had historical significance. This took Kane’s World Cup goals tally to 12, leveling him with Pelé, whose dozen goals came in just 16 World Cup appearances as he helped Brazil win an unprecedented three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
England’s Harry Kane (9) scores the first goal for his team during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kane wasn’t done.As England continue to push for a winner, Gordon again played a decisive role in the 86th minute. After England regained possession from a partially ruled out attack, the winger sent another dangerous ball into the packed penalty area. Kane was quickest to react inside the crowd, creating enough space before finishing powerfully into the top right corner to complete England’s comeback and seal a 2-1 victory.The goal moved Kane to 13 career World Cup goals, moving him ahead of Pelé on the tournament’s all-time goalscoring list. In the space of just 11 minutes, he first matched one of football’s top scorers before completely overtaking him.The brace also took Kane to five goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing him level with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who both scored six times, remain ahead as the race for the tournament’s top scorer tightens.
The rise to the biggest milestones of the World Cup in England
The double also reshaped England’s World Cup history.Kane’s equalizer and winner took his tally in the knock-out phase of his career to five World Cup goals, moving him clear of Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four knock-out goals have been England’s highest haul in tournaments since their 1966 World Cup triumph.Only Gary Lineker, with six World Cup knockout goals, now stands ahead of Kane on England’s all-time list, leaving the current captain just one goal away from equaling another all-time national record as England prepare for the last 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 in the men’s competition with 84 goals in 117 international appearances, while also holding the record for the most goals scored by an English player at major tournaments.The Bayern Munich striker first announced himself as a World Cup goalscorer by winning the Golden Boot in Russia 2018, scoring six goals as England reached the semi-finals. His latest goal means he now has five goals at the 2026 tournament, just one shy of that personal best.Against DR Congo, Kane also made his 15th World Cup start, the most of any England outfield player, as he took his incredible season tally for club and country to 72 goals. His display earned him the Superior Man of the Match award after he brought England back from the brink of elimination.England’s World Cup journey continues with a round of 16 encounter against co-hosts Mexico, but Kane gets there once again demonstrating why he remains one of the key players of his generation. In a tournament already littered with record-breaking performances, the England captain needed just 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark on World Cup history.
