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World Cup 2026 R32: Kane brace rescues England, Belgium edge Senegal in extra time

England trailed DR Congo 0-1 until the 75th minute before two late Kane goals; Belgium came back from 0-2 down to beat Senegal 3-2 AET via a controversial extra-time penalty; USA-Bosnia finished 0-0 after 90 minutes

Sports· active How Life Changes·Whose Money ·8 takes · ·rbtfl upd Jul 2, 2026

Summary

The World Cup Round of 32 third day produced two tense eliminations and a scoreless draw heading to extra time. Harry Kane's 75th and 85th-minute goals rescued England 2-1 over DR Congo in Atlanta, after Brian Cipenga's 7th-minute opener had held for 68 minutes, the longest England have trailed in a knockout World Cup game since 1990. In Seattle, Belgium came back from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time, with a controversial penalty converted by Tielemans in the 98th minute sealing the comeback. USA drew 0-0 with Bosnia-Herzegovina at halftime in Santa Clara and proceeded to extra time. Colombia topped Group K with seven points and faces Ghana July 3; Argentina topped Group J with nine points and faces Cape Verde July 3 in Miami.

The split

African press, particularly via Al Jazeera Arabic and beIN Sports, focused heavily on the question of officiating in the Belgium-Senegal match, with the extra-time penalty decision drawing sustained scrutiny. For Senegalese media the exit marks the end of a tournament in which the team reached the second round despite internal federation disputes. Congolese coverage framed the team's 68-minute lead as an overperformance that deserved a better fate, and Cipenga's goal circulated widely across Kinshasa. English tabloid coverage predictably celebrated the escape while noting the team's continued failure to control matches. Belgian coverage was subdued by the manner of the win.

By the numbers

  • 7th minute, Cipenga's goal that put DRC ahead
  • 75, 85, Kane's goal minutes in England's rescue
  • 68 minutes, how long England trailed (longest World Cup knockout deficit since 1990)
  • 0-2, Belgium's half-time deficit before coming back to beat Senegal 3-2 AET
  • 9, Argentina's Group J points (top of group, faces Cape Verde July 3)
  • July 2 fixtures: Spain vs Austria, Portugal vs Croatia, Switzerland vs Algeria

Why it matters

The tournament's geographic spread across North America is reshaping viewership patterns, with match kickoffs ranging from early afternoon to late night depending on the US time zone. Both African nations' exits, DRC after 68 creditable minutes, Senegal via disputed penalty, deepen a debate about whether the expanded 48-team format disproportionately benefits traditional powers in the knockout rounds. England's narrow escape keeps Kane's tournament alive; he reached 22nd and 23rd World Cup goals in the process.

What to watch

  • USA-Bosnia-Herzegovina result after the 0-0 first half.
  • Spain vs Austria (July 2, SoFi Stadium) as the most significant July 2 fixture.
  • Whether the Tielemans penalty is reviewed by FIFA's technical study group.
  • African team performance in the remaining R32 and R16 ties.