Thomas Tuchel expressed his delight after Harry Kane scored twice to lead England to a 3-1 victory over DR Congo in the World Cup round of 16, booking a quarterfinal meeting with France.
Kane's Double Seals Win
Kane opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a clinical finish from a Jude Bellingham assist, then doubled the lead just before halftime with a powerful header from a Kieran Trippier cross. DR Congo pulled one back through Cedric Bakambu in the 67th minute, but Bukayo Saka restored England's two-goal advantage in the 81st minute with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Tuchel Praises Captain
"Harry was outstanding tonight," Tuchel said after the match. "He led the line brilliantly and his goals were crucial. We knew DR Congo would be tough, but we showed great character to see the game out."
The victory extends England's unbeaten run to 14 matches under Tuchel, who took over after the 2022 World Cup. The team has scored 38 goals in that span, with Kane accounting for 12 of them.
DR Congo's Brave Effort
DR Congo, making their first appearance in the knockout stages since 1974, pushed England hard in the second half. Bakambu's goal came from a well-worked counter-attack, and the African side had several chances to equalize before Saka's strike sealed the win.
"We are proud of our performance," said DR Congo coach Héctor Cúper. "We gave England a real scare and showed that African football is on the rise."
Quarterfinal Clash with France
England will now face defending champions France in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The two sides met at the same stage in 2022, with France winning 2-1 en route to the title. Tuchel acknowledged the challenge ahead.
"France are an incredible team with world-class players," he said. "But we are confident in our abilities. We will prepare well and give everything to reach the semifinals."
The match will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, with kickoff scheduled for 10 p.m. local time.
