Edi Umoh
England and Belgium survived shock exits on Wednesday to reach World Cup Round of 16. Harry Kane’s late double rescued England in a 2–1 win over DR Congo. Belgium overturned a 2–0 deficit to chase away Senegal 3–2 in extra time, while US disarmed its opponent.
At the 2026 World Cup, England, the United States and Belgium have all made it through to the next round, but none had an easy time.
England 2 – 1 DR Congo
In Atlanta, England faced a real danger of an early exit against DR Congo. They went behind in the match, but striker Harry Kane scored twice to turn the game around. England won 2–1 and moved into the Round of 16. Their next match is a big one: a clash with Mexico at the famous Azteca Stadium.
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Before this knockout game, England had finished top of their group. They beat Panama 2–0, with goals from Jude Bellingham and Kane, and also won 4–2 against Croatia. Their only group game without goals was a 0–0 draw with Ghana.
US 2 – 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
In Santa Clara, in the knockout stage, World Cup co-host the US moved into the last 16 of the tournament with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring in Santa Clara before being sent off in the second half, but Malik Tillman sealed the win with a free-kick goal.
The Americans had to play much of the match with one player less, after Folarin Balogun was sent off with a controversial red card. Still, they managed to hold on and win, keeping their World Cup campaign alive.
The US team had started the tournament strongly, including a 4–1 win over Paraguay in their opening match.
Belgium 3 – 2 Senegal
Meanwhile, Belgium produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the tournament.
In Seattle, they faced Senegal in the Round of 32 and found themselves 2–0 down. In the final minutes of normal time, Belgium scored twice in just five minutes to level the match, with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans.
The game went to extra time, and Tielemans then scored again from a penalty, given after a VAR review, in the fifth minute of that stoppage time, to complete a 3–2 win.
That result sends Belgium into the Round of 16, where they will now meet the US.
Earlier in the group stage, Belgium had looked shaky at first, but then found their form with a big 5–1 win over New Zealand, with goals from Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers.
