Live: England faces DR Congo as World Cup knockouts continue

The Round of 32 continues in North America, with England and DR Congo facing off in Atlanta.

Then, we travel to Seattle, where Belgium will lock horns with Senegal, before the US looks to become the third co-host to advance to the Round of 16 when they face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara

Follow all the action in our live blog below.

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Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:07am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:07am

England vs DR Congo live score

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England vs DR Congo

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Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:19am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:19am

53' Mpasi with another important save

By Henry Hanson

This is quickly becoming the Lionel Mpasi show in Atlanta.

It's Jude Bellingham with the ball at his feet, angling in from the left.

His cross takes a big deflection and is flying towards goal, but Mpasi does excellently well to readjust his body and make a save at his near post.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:16am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:16am

51' Rashford into the side netting

By Henry Hanson

Marcus Rashford, who has been one of England's best in North America, is running at a retreating DRC defence.

The Barcelona man finds his way into the penalty area and scythes his shot into the side netting.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:15am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:15am

49' England from the corner

By Henry Hanson

A dangerous England set corner sees Jude Bellingham peel off at the back post, but before the ball can reach him, Arthur Masuaku sneaks in to head the ball out for another corner, which is easily defended.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:11am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:11am

We're back for the second half in Atlanta

By Henry Hanson

England with 45 minutes to save their tournament.

No half-time changes for either side.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:10am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 3:10am

Mixed reviews on that penalty call

By Henry Hanson

Great call on the no-penalty imo, he was already going down before the contact

- Paul

Crikey! If that's England going up a gear after the first ad break, then DR Congo have pretty much gone up with them. Where to from here? On the Kane dive; methinks Harry was already going down after the edge-of-the-box tussle with the defender, then he instinctively dove over Mpasi to prevent the keeper (and himself) from getting injured in a collision. When he pops up and appeals for a penalty that'd be off the defender, but that seemed an equal tussle, So no penalty and no simulation. Ref/VAR got it right I reckon. England On The Ropes Part 2 coming right up!

- Big Ben

How is that not a penalty?

- VAR

Opinion seem to be split on that penalty decision.

For what it's worth, I thought it should have been given.

Sure, it was a heavy touch from Harry Kane, but the ball is still in play as Lionel Mpasi makes what looked like deliberate contact with Kane's foot.

If it was given on field, I can't imagine it would have been overturned.

Key Event

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:54am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:54am

HT: England 0 - 1 DR Congo

By Henry Hanson

Wow, what a story is developing in Atlanta.

Could England become the latest European heavyweight to exit the competition?

DR Congo head to the sheds with a 1-0 lead after that early Brian Cipenga strike.

The Three Lions were an absolute shambles for that goal, with Cipenga afforded acres of space on the edge of the penalty area, and Jordan Pickford beaten too easily, but since the hydration break, England has dominated.

Lionel Mpasi has been immense in goal for the Congolese, making a string of remarkable saves, while the Three Lions also had a very creditable penalty claim waved away.

But the Leopards have remained dangerous on the counterattack, and really, should be 2-0 up, with Yoanne Wissa hitting the post from point blank range after a scything raid down the right.

We are 45 minutes away from another stunning World Cup boilover.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:53am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:53am

45+6' England denied again!

By Henry Hanson

We're ticking towards halftime, and Declan Rice whips in a deep corner that reaches Harry Kane at the far post.

He catches his volley sweetly, but Lionel Mpasi is once again on hand to thwart the English!

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:51am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:51am

45' We're into stoppage time

By Henry Hanson

We're halfway through six added minutes at the end of the first half.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:50am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:50am

45' Remarkable save from Mpasi!

By Henry Hanson

Lionel Mpasi has just pulled off an extraordinary save to deny England.

Another ball is whipped into the penalty area and Jude Bellingham is diving, making good contact with his head.

It looks like it's destined for the back of the net, but Mpasi is down brilliantly, stretching out a strong right hand to preserve his side's lead.

Key Event

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:45am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:45am

44' ENGLAND DENIED A PENALTY!

By Henry Hanson

Oh gosh.

Harry Kane is through on goal and attempts to go around the goalkeeper.

His touch is slightly heavy but he goes down, seemingly brought down by the onrushing Lionel Mpasi.

It looks like a clear penalty.

But the referee doesn't think so!

He says Kane went down too easily.

VAR agrees with decision.

I must say, that looked like a penalty for me.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:45am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:45am

42' DRC HITS THE POST!

By Henry Hanson

Oh my, DR Congo should well and truly be 2-0 up here.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is galloping down the right and whips in a good low cross.

Yoanne Wissa is on the edge of the penalty six-yard box and he puts his shot onto the outside of the post!

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:42am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:42am

39' Big appeal for a penalty!

By Henry Hanson

Decland Rice stands over the dead ball on the left.

It's a very poor ball, bouncing before reaching the first man, but there's some chaos as the ball bobbles around the penalty area.

The ball is eventually cleared, but not before it clips the arm of Noah Sadike.

Big English appeals as play continues.

No penalty.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:39am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:39am

35' Oh my word, England so close!

By Henry Hanson

Harry Kane is in the penalty area but prevented from getting a shot away by an excellent last-ditch tackle.

The ball isn't cleared completely and Noni Madueke dinks another ball across goal.

The ball pops out to Marcus Rashford, who catches his effort first time with Lionel Mpasi off his line.

He makes good contact, but his effort is directly at Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who makes a goal line clearance with his knee.

England getting closer.

DRC just about hanging on.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:33am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:33am

30' Great save Mpasi!

By Henry Hanson

England have got some serious liquids on board because they have looked a whole lot more energetic since the hydration break.

Jude Bellingham has his side's best chance thus far - he's found in the penalty area and the Real Madrid man makes good contact with his head, but DR Congo shot stopper Lionel Mpasi makes a fine save.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:31am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:31am

28' Konsa goes close for England!

By Henry Hanson

Djed Spence is galloping forward from right back.

He's past Arthur Masuaku before being hauled down by Noah Sadiki.

It's a foul and a yellow card for Sadiki.

The resulting free kick is whipped low into the box and Ezri Konsa deflects it towards goal.

It's just wide.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:29am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:29am

26' Madueke outmuscled in the penalty area

By Henry Hanson

Noni Madueke is looking menacing as he dances into the penalty area, but there is no way past Arthur Masuaku, who is strong and fair in outmuscling the Arsenal man.

We're back from the hydration break, if that wasn't obvious.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:24am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:24am

23' We've reached the first break

By Henry Hanson

England rattled.

DRC in dreamland.

Oh boy, we're in for quite a morning!

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:21am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:21am

19' Yellow card for Bellingham

By Henry Hanson

It's a reckless, mistimed challenge from Jude Bellingham, who slides in on Nathanaël Mbuku.

It's a clear yellow card.

DR Congo whip the resulting freekick into the penalty area but it's easily dealt with.

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:20am

Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 2:20am

17' Important intervention from DRC 'keeper

By Henry Hanson

Marcus Rashford is making a run into the box, and he's almost found with a lofted delivery.

However, Lionel Mpasi makes his way out from the Congo goal and pucnches clear.

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