England never make it easy at international tournaments and this routine clash against DR Congo was everything but simple.

1-0 down five minutes in against a Congo team which hadn't conceded 2 goals more than once in their last 57 games looked like a tough ask.

But England found a way through with goals from talisman Harry Kane to make it to the last 16.

DR Congo Shock England with Early Goal

England looked shaky as the game kicked off with dodgy final balls and struggling to find their feet. That was made even worse when DR Congo broke away five minutes in and a through ball was missed by Djed Spence.

Brian Cipenga made the most of the mistake beating Pickford at his near post to give the African side a shock lead.

After another edgy 15 minutes made the hydration break much needed for Tuchel to talk to his side and calm them down.

England then created two good chances from Declan Rice deliveries with Ezri Konsa having a set piece hit his knee to go narrowly wide. Closely followed by a Jude Bellingham header saved by Mpasi.

The Three Lions started picking up the pace with Madueke beating his man to set up a Marcus Rashford shot cleared off the line by his former teamate Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Congo held strong and could've gone into the first half with a two goal lead with Wissa hitting the post from close out letting them off the hook.

On the flip side England could also have been level after Kane went round the goalkeeper and felt he was taken down. But the referee felt otherwise and with a tense VAR check done England fans were left in disbelief.

With signs of England knocking on the door for the last 20 minutes, they had 45 minutes to save their World Cup campaign

Kane Leads England's Second-Half Comeback

England were going to have to create more if they wanted to break the Congo defence. But at the same time be able to stop the counterattack at the other end.

Rashford had his shot hit the side netting after beating his defender then Bellingham had his deflected shot saved yet again to keep the Three Lions frustrated.

At 60 minutes Tuchel had seen enough and made serious changes. Saka and Gordon came on to try and add some quality on the wings to turn the game around.

After Congo had a long shot inches away from the top corner, England look really on the edge of an embarrassing exit.

The fortress of the africans goal was finally broken after a tactical change. Declan Rice was moved to right back to deliver the ball into the box and create chaos. And he did just that with his overlap setting up Gordon to cross the ball and Kane to head home. The England captain scored his 12th World Cup goal putting him level with Pele.

The Game was flipped on his head as DR Congo looked like the team with their energy sapped from them.

The contest became end to end with both teams now needing a goal to send them through to the last 16.

Then the comeback was complete after a breakdown on the edge of the box captain Kane found some space and smashed it into the roof of the net. Now level with Just Fountaine with World Cup goals.

The Three Lions defended with their lives to get the result over the line.

What England Must Improve Before Facing Mexico

Now with a round of 16 clash booked with hosts Mexico, England need to take the last 20 minutes performance and make changes. Saka was definitely one of the reasons England were able to turn the game around. So if he's fit then a start he's definitely earned.

The urgency to get the ball into the box with the attacking players is also needed to take on these strong defences you come up against in the latter stages.

Bring on the last 16 and lets hope the Three Lions can continue the momentum.