Harry Kane produced a stunning late double to save England from a humiliating World Cup exit against DR Congo in Atlanta, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory that keeps Thomas Tuchel's side alive in the tournament. The England captain, who played through the deep trauma of the Iceland defeat at Euro 2016, delivered when his team were sliding towards disaster, scoring in the 75th minute and again with four minutes of normal time remaining.
England had been second best for long periods under the giant Victorian railway dome of the Atlanta Stadium, falling behind after just seven minutes when DR Congo capitalised on a defensive lapse. The Three Lions looked terrified of their own feet, struggling to create chances and unable to build any rhythm. Kane's intervention was a moment of generational relief, sparing Tuchel and his Football Association bosses from what would have been a catastrophic early exit.
The performance has drawn sharp criticism from former players. Jamie O'Hara, speaking on talkSPORT, described England as «terrible» and singled out Tuchel's decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold at home as «one of the worst World Cup squad picks ever». O'Hara pointed to the right-back position, where Djed Spence struggled and Declan Rice was eventually moved from midfield to fill the role. «It's almost criminal that we're having to play Spence there,» O'Hara said. «Spence doesn't start at right-back for Tottenham, who finished 17th.»
Wayne Rooney also weighed in, suggesting England should have been «on the phone» to a retired defender after the match, though he did not name the player. The criticism reflects a broader concern about the squad's depth and Tuchel's selections, with Cole Palmer also left at home. O'Hara argued that Kane and Jude Bellingham cannot win the World Cup alone, contrasting England's reliance on two stars with France's six or seven match-winners.
England's attacking play was particularly disjointed. Noni Madueke failed to get to the byline on the right wing, and Spence showed little inclination to cross. The team's best moments came when Rice moved to right-back and Bukayo Saka played on the right, creating a connection that led to Kane's first goal. O'Hara's co-host Jason Cundy suggested England might fare better against stronger teams that offer more space, but he admitted the side looked «lost» and «dead» on the ball, comparing them to «little birds» that fly away when the patio door opens.
Despite the win, England's performance has done little to inspire confidence ahead of a last-16 meeting with Mexico at the Azteca. Kane's heroics have bought time for Tuchel, but questions remain about whether the squad has the quality to go deep into the tournament. The captain's ability to drag his team through moments of crisis is well established, but as O'Hara noted, «you can't have two players win the World Cup.»
