Cipenga's free kick and Kane's reply end DR Congo's World Cup

England 2–1 DR Congo: your World Cup ends in Texas

Cipenga stepped up. A free kick from the edge of the box, and suddenly DR Congo led 1–0 in their first-ever World Cup knockout match (1). The stadium, packed with England fans, went silent. Your team did not flinch and carried that lead into the second half.

Harry Kane turned it around. Two goals for the England captain: an equalizer and then the winner, and DR Congo were out (1). It was not comfortable for England. Wayne Rooney did not hold back: "We are all delighted England have gone through, but in particular, when England lose the ball, they are so open. Against a better team I think we are in big trouble" (3). Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw something similar: "I saw England suffering physically. I did not see them run like before" (7).

Desabre loses his father on the night of elimination

The news came in the press room. As Sébastien Desabre finished answering questions after the match, the press officer stepped forward: "We announce that the coach has lost his father. Our sincere condolences" (2) (4) (6) (8).

Desabre had just managed the biggest game of his career. He did not know.

England scrambled to find answers

Thomas Tuchel made a desperate tactical switch during the match. Declan Rice moved to right-back, an idea from assistant Anthony Barry (11). "Anthony Barry had a brilliant idea... to put Declan there," Tuchel said afterwards (11). It worked, or at least it coincided with the comeback. The hydration breaks may have helped too, giving England a moment to regroup in the Texas heat (13).

Everyone praised Kane, nobody praised England

The English press is nervous despite going through. "Catastrophic start," "collective performance unworthy," French outlet RMC reported from the English papers (12). The only name they celebrated was Kane. Thierry Henry was full of admiration (14). Felipe Melo went further: "Of all these national teams, the most dependent is Harry Kane. England lose the most if you take him out" (6).

Fan-reaktioner

The image that stuck with fans was not a goal. It was Desabre learning of his father's death at the press conference, visibly processing it in real time. One thread called it one of the most brutal moments of the tournament. Another post misidentified the loss as his mother, but the sentiment was the same: condolences poured in for the man who took DR Congo further than they had ever been.