Harry Kane makes history with DR Congo, surpassing Pelé to break England’s 60-year World Cup record

England’s Harry Kane (9) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Harry Kane’s match-winning brace against DR Congo did much more than salvage England’s World Cup campaign. In 11 memorable second-half minutes at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the England captain broke one of football’s most enduring records before promptly breaking it, moving above Brazilian icon Pelé on the all-time World Cup goalscoring charts while also moving into second place in England’s World Cup knockout goals history. The performance also cemented his position among the greatest tournament forwards the game has produced.England appeared to be heading for a stunning round of 32 exit after Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo the lead in the seventh minute and the African side protected their advantage deep into the second half. Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession and territory but struggled to convert their dominance into goals until Kane produced another decisive performance on football’s biggest stage.

An 11-minute spell that rewrote the record books

England’s breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute. Substitute Anthony Gordon sped down the left wing and delivered an inviting cross into the six-yard box. Kane escaped his mark with a trademark move and sent a diving header past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to restore parity.This goal was of historical importance. Kane’s World Cup tally led to 12 goals, equaling Pelé, whose dozen goals came in just 16 World Cup appearances and helped Brazil win an unprecedented three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

England’s Harry Kane (9) scores his team’s first goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Kane isn’t done.With England continuing to push for the winner, Gordon again played a decisive role in the 86th minute. After England recycled possession from a partially clean attack, the winger delivered another dangerous ball into the crowded penalty area. Kane was quickest to react inside the jam, creating just enough space before lashing a powerful finish into the top right corner to complete England’s comeback and seal a 2-1 win.The strike moved Kane to 13 career World Cup goals, passing Pelé for the tournament’s all-time scoring lead. In the space of just 11 minutes, he first matched one of football’s greatest goalscorers before completely surpassing him.The brace also took Kane to five goals at the 2026 World Cup, bringing him level with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot rankings. Only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who have both scored six times, remain ahead as the battle for the tournament’s top scorer intensifies.

Overcoming England’s biggest World Cup milestones

The pair also reshaped England’s World Cup history.Kane’s equalizer and winner took his knock-out career tally to five World Cup goals and moved him ahead of Sir Geoff Hurst, whose four knock-out goals are among England’s biggest tournament feats since the 1966 World Cup triumph.Only Gary Lineker, with six World Cup knockout goals, is now ahead of Kane on England’s all-time list, leaving the current captain just one goal away from achieving another all-time national record as England prepare for the last 16.His wider international achievements continue to grow alongside these World Cup milestones. Kane has now scored 20 goals in major international tournaments for England, including 13 at the FIFA World Cup and seven at the UEFA European Championship. With 84 goals in 117 international matches, he is already England’s all-time top goalscorer among men and also holds the absolute record for the number of goals scored by an English player in major tournaments.The Bayern Munich forward made his first appearance as a goalscorer at the World Cup by winning the Golden Boot at Russia 2018 and scoring six goals as England reached the semi-finals. His latest brace means he now has five goals at the 2026 tournament, just one short of a personal best.Against DR Congo, Kane also earned his 15th World Cup start, the most of any England player in the outfield, taking his remarkable tally for club and country to 72 goals for the season. His display was awarded the Superior Player of the Match award after he pulled England back from the brink of elimination.England’s World Cup journey continues with a round of 16 tie against co-hosts Mexico, but Kane arrives to show yet again why he remains one of the defining players of his generation. In a tournament already filled with record-breaking performances, the England captain needed just 11 minutes to leave another lasting mark on World Cup history.