England secured a dramatic victory against DR Congo in the World Cup 2026 last-32 tie, largely due to the performance of captain Harry Kane. The match, played in Atlanta, saw England trailing until late in the game before Kane scored two goals to ensure progression to the last 16.

The win means England will now face co-hosts Mexico in the next round at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Head coach Thomas Tuchel joined the celebrations on the pitch following the decisive goals.

Kane’s pivotal performance

Harry Kane scored an equaliser with a header with 15 minutes remaining, beating goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. He then secured the 2-1 victory with four minutes left, receiving a pass from substitute Anthony Gordon and striking the ball past Mpasi.

This performance was critical for England, with Tuchel acknowledging Kane’s role. Kane now has five goals in this World Cup, placing him among the top scorers alongside players like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi. Tuchel described these players as “sharks,” noting their competitive drive.

Kane’s goals against DR Congo moved him to joint sixth on the all-time World Cup scorers list, surpassing Pele. He also reached 84 goals for England, drawing level with Ferenc Puskas on the all-time international scorers list. He is the first England player to score twice in a World Cup knockout stage match since Gary Lineker in 1990, and now has five knockout stage goals in the tournament, with only Lineker having more for England.

Team-mates praised Kane’s consistent high-level play. Jude Bellingham expressed pride in playing alongside Kane, while Anthony Gordon highlighted Kane’s consistent performance in training and matches, stating his season has only been surpassed by Lionel Messi.

England players’ ratings from the match reflected the team’s initial struggles and Kane’s impact. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and defenders Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guehi received lower ratings, with concerns raised about defensive space. Midfielders like Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice had challenging nights, though Rice attempted to impose himself and moved to right-back later in the game. Jude Bellingham tried to inject energy despite being booked.

Substitutes Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Eberechi Eze made positive contributions, with Gordon assisting both of Kane’s goals. Lionel Mpasi, the DR Congo goalkeeper, was noted for making five saves and was considered the player of the match by some assessments.

Challenges ahead in Mexico City

The victory sets up a challenging last-16 encounter for England against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Mexico has a strong home record, having lost only two of their past 89 competitive games at the stadium, and they are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches there.

England will also face the challenge of playing at an altitude of over 7,000ft, a significant change from their previous matches in enclosed stadiums in Dallas and Atlanta, and in Boston and New York New Jersey Stadium. The team anticipates a hostile environment with passionate local support.

The match against Mexico will take place in the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Source: bbc.com

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In early May 2023, whispers began circulating about potential departures. Rumors intensified around Manuel Ugarte, who is expected to leave Manchester United this summer. “Some players will leave, especially in midfield. The name of Manuel Ugarte is the name I keep hearing as one of the players expected to leave,” reported Fabrizio Romano.

As discussions heated up, speculation about potential signings emerged. The recruitment team identified key targets, focusing on three central midfielders to fill gaps left by departing players. Among those on the radar was Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and Morgan Rogers, an attacker from Aston Villa.

By late May, attention turned to replacements for Casemiro, whose contract expires in June. The club is considering Shea Charles from Southampton for a £20 million fee, but no official offers have been made yet. Meanwhile, reports indicated that Manchester United would remain interested in Harry Kane, even though he is unlikely to leave Bayern Munich this summer. Football Insider noted, “Kane is clearly unlikely to move away from Bayern this summer and remains keen to stay in Bavaria despite continued interest from the Red Devils.”

The urgency of these decisions escalated as Michael Carrick continued to lead the team effectively. After qualifying for the Champions League, it seems Carrick will remain at the helm as head coach. Gary Neville remarked on Carrick’s mixed emotions: “Michael Carrick will be very happy tonight, but I think he will also be disappointed deep down that they haven’t gone on to win that game 3-0 or 4-0.”

The current state of affairs places Manchester United at a crossroads. With their transfer budget bolstered by their Champions League return, they are poised for an ambitious summer ahead. The recruitment team’s primary objective is clear: identify a world-class successor to Casemiro and lay down a foundation for future success.

The coming weeks promise pivotal moments for Manchester United as they navigate this high-stakes transfer window. With decisions looming over player departures and potential signings, fans eagerly await updates on how these developments will shape their beloved club’s future.

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Before this unexpected offer, expectations for Tottenham were high. Fans looked forward to a season that could see them competing for European spots, particularly in the Europa Conference League. However, as losses piled up, the atmosphere turned grim. The team struggled on the pitch, leading to calls for change.

The moment of change arrived after the Nottingham Forest match. Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles reached out to the club, sensing the turmoil. “They never came to us. We did, Ossie and myself, after the Forest game; we felt there was a real problem there,” Hoddle explained. His words reflect a sense of urgency that resonated with fans who have witnessed their team’s decline.

The fallout from this moment has been significant. Hoddle’s legacy as one of Tottenham’s greatest players adds weight to his offer. He played for the club from 1975 to 1987 and later managed it in the early 2000s. His connection with Tottenham is deep-rooted; he remains a part of discussions regarding the club’s all-time XI.

Yet, this appeal for caretaking comes at a time when key players are struggling with injuries—like Xavi Simons, who is out for most of 2026 due to a serious knee injury, and Dominic Solanke, whose hamstring strain puts him in doubt for crucial matches. The struggles extend beyond injuries; morale within the squad appears low.

Hoddle also commented on another player making headlines: Jorgen Strand Larsen from Crystal Palace. He noted that if Harry Kane had scored Strand Larsen’s recent goal against Shakhtar Donetsk, it would have been hailed as beautiful. “If that was Harry Kane scoring that goal we would all be saying ‘wow, what a beautiful goal’,” he said, highlighting how expectations differ based on reputation.

As Tottenham grapples with its future, fans are left wondering about their club’s direction. Hoddle expressed his desire simply: “I just want them to stay up, whether I was involved or I wasn’t.” His words encapsulate the urgency felt by many supporters who fear relegation could mark an end of an era—49 years since their last drop from top-flight football.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Tottenham as they navigate through this turbulent season. With three away matches looming in May and pressure mounting from every direction, every decision will be critical in determining whether they can secure their place in the Premier League.

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Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring with a penalty in stoppage time, giving PSG a 3-2 lead at halftime. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made his mark by scoring twice, while Bayern’s Harry Kane netted the first goal just 17 minutes into the match.

Key statistics from the match:

• PSG scored a total of 5 goals, while Bayern Munich netted 4.
• The match featured 9 goals—the most ever recorded in a Champions League semi-final first leg.
• Manuel Neuer, Bayern’s goalkeeper, failed to make a single save during the game.
• Kvaratskhelia and Dembele scored within just 143 seconds of each other.

This historic clash marked the first time in a European semi-final that both teams scored four or more goals. Thierry Henry remarked, “This game had everything,” and added humorously, “Rest in peace to anyone who missed this game.” Marquinhos echoed the sentiment: “We dream about matches like this.”

The attacking play was praised across the board, with analysts calling it one of the best football matches seen across all competitions. If five more goals are scored in the second leg on May 5, it will become the highest-scoring Champions League knockout tie in history.

As anticipation builds for the return leg at Allianz Arena, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if PSG can maintain their edge or if Bayern will mount a comeback. This thrilling encounter has set the stage for an unforgettable conclusion to this semi-final showdown.

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Harry Kane opened the scoring for Bayern Munich with a penalty in the 17th minute. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as fans settled in for what would become one of the most thrilling matches in Champions League history.

PSG responded fiercely. By the 33rd minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted his first goal, igniting the home crowd. Ousmane Dembele followed suit, scoring two goals, including one from the penalty spot just before halftime.

The first half ended with PSG leading 3-1. But Bayern wasn’t ready to back down. Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz scored in quick succession during the second half, bringing the score to an exhilarating 5-4.

Thierry Henry captured the essence of the match perfectly when he remarked, “This is football at its absolute peak. Pure cinema.” His sentiment echoed through social media as fans and pundits alike praised the high level of attacking football displayed by both teams.

Ousmane Dembele reflected on the encounter, stating, “It was a match between two great teams who attack, who don’t hesitate.” His words resonated with those who had witnessed the relentless offensive strategies employed by both sides.

As the final whistle blew, analysts hailed this match as one of the best Champions League matches of all time. The excitement didn’t end there; fans eagerly anticipated the return leg scheduled for May 5, 2026, in Munich.

The stakes are high as both teams vie for a place in the final on May 30, 2026. Marquinhos summed it up succinctly: “We dream about matches like this all year long, throughout all our childhood.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates what it means to be part of such a historic competition.

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Key facts:

• The match kicks off at 8pm local time.
• PSG has defeated Chelsea and Liverpool in earlier rounds.
• Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
• Coverage begins on Amazon Prime Video at 6:30pm UK time.

Luis Enrique leads PSG into this critical match with a relatively healthy squad. He believes that winning requires more than just defense. “You need to attack more than you defend if you want to win,” he stated confidently. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany, managing Bayern Munich, reflects on the history of these encounters: “These games have always been very close; sometimes we’ve won, sometimes they’ve won.”

On the injury front, PSG appears fortunate while Bayern will miss Serge Gnabry for the rest of the season. The absence of Gnabry could impact Bayern’s attacking strategy as they prepare for this intense battle.

Fans eagerly await this showdown between two clubs with rich histories and high stakes. As PSG aims to defend their title, Bayern seeks to reclaim glory on the European stage. The stage is set for a thrilling night at Parc des Princes.

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Harry Kane has been a standout performer this season, netting 52 goals across all competitions. “Harry Kane is the player to watch,” said a football analyst, highlighting his importance to Bayern’s strategy. His ability to find the net consistently puts him at the forefront of this high-stakes clash.

PSG will welcome back midfielder Vitinha, which adds depth to their squad. In contrast, Bayern faces challenges as they will be without key players Lennart Karl, Tom Bischoff, and Serge Gnabry due to injuries. This could impact their attacking options significantly.

Where to watch:

• The match will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
• Coverage starts at 7pm UK time with kick-off at 8pm.
• Fans who have not yet taken out a Prime subscription can watch the match free if they sign up for a free trial here.

The winners of this tie will face the victor of the other semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. As anticipation builds for this intense matchup, both teams know that every goal counts in their pursuit of European glory.

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