Kane’s late brace rescues England, Belgium complete a miracle comeback against Senegal, and the USA hold on with ten men to reach the last 16
World Cup knockouts: Kane rescues England as Belgium and USA also advance
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Wednesday’s (Thursday morning here in China’s Greater Bay Area) World Cup round of 32 action was the most dramatic day of the tournament yet, with all three matches delivering extraordinary finishes.
[See more: Mexico end 40-year World Cup knockout wait with 2-0 win over Ecuador]
England 2-1 DR Congo
Harry Kane bailed England out against DR Congo. The African nation – in their first-ever World Cup knockout match – took a shock lead through Brian Cipenga in the seventh minute and held firm until the 75th minute.
Kane equalised in the 75th minute, heading home Anthony Gordon’s cross, before striking again in the 86th minute to seal a 2-1 win and book a Round of 16 clash with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
Kane’s brace takes him to 13 career World Cup goals, making him England’s all-time leading scorer in the competition.
[See more: World Cup knockouts: Haaland strikes late as France cruise past Sweden]
Belgium 3-2 Senegal (AET)
Senegal led 2-0 going into the final five minutes of normal time, with Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr having scored either side of half-time. Substitute Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute.
Three minutes later, a misjudgement by goalkeeper Mory Diaw allowed Youri Tielemans to loop in a header and send the match to extra time.
The drama continued until the 117th minute, when a VAR review awarded Belgium a penalty after Lamine Camara fouled Tielemans. He stepped up and coolly converted, scoring the latest goal in World Cup history.
Belgium became just the second team in World Cup history to twice come back from two goals down to win a knockout tie, the other occasion was also Belgium, against Japan in 2018.
[See more: Martinelli saves Brazil as Paraguay stun Germany on penalties]
USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States advanced to a Round of 16 clash with Belgium despite finishing with ten men. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring in the 45th minute after a deflected through ball from Malik Tillman fell his way.
Balogun was then sent off in the 64th minute for serious foul play, reducing the USA to ten men with more than 25 minutes remaining.
Tillman responded with a stunning free kick in the 82nd minute to make it 2-0. Bosnia’s 40-year-old talisman Eden Džeko was substituted in the 51st minute with a quad injury, ending his World Cup.
