Kane brace knocks Congo DR out of the World Cup

England 2–1 Congo DR, your World Cup is over

Harry Kane did it. Two goals, the second in stoppage time, and England came from behind to knock your team out of the World Cup at the round of 32 (2) (5).

Brian Cipenga gave Congo the lead, and for a long stretch the impossible looked possible. But Kane levelled and then won it late. A 2–1 defeat that hurts because it was right there (2) (5).

Jude Bellingham's reaction to the winner said plenty. Cameras caught him in disbelief at what Kane had just done (3).

Anthony Gordon did not hold back afterwards. "He's having a season that's only ever been beaten by Leo Messi, the greatest footballer of all time," Gordon said of Kane. "When you're around someone like that, you want to pick up as many habits and watch everything he does" (5).

Lumumba Vea says goodbye

The man they call the statue-fan of Congo DR posted his farewell after elimination. "We dreamed together. We believed. It's beautiful to leave with such a hunger for victory," Lumumba Vea wrote. "This is just a temporary setback. We will see each other again with even greater ambitions" (4).

Desabre lost his father after the match

A devastating note away from the pitch. Manager Sébastien Desabre learned his father had passed away after the England game. The federation confirmed the news. The squad and staff are rallying around him.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood is heavy but proud. Fans are sharing the Desabre news widely and sending support, with one post calling it simply "tough times." Another thread focused on Declan Rice admitting he was in "terrible pain" during the match yet played on. That resilience from both sides resonated with Congo supporters who saw their own team give everything.

Stay strong, tough times