On a day filled with comebacks, drama, and a historic record, three of the tournament's frontrunners secured their places in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. England, Belgium, and the United States emerged victorious in their respective knockout matches, keeping their championship dreams alive.
England's Nail-Biting Victory Led by Record-Breaker Harry Kane
England had to stage a comeback to overcome a spirited Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brian Cipenga gave the Leopards an early lead in the seventh minute, and the African squad—one of the tournament's biggest surprises—held onto their advantage for much of the game despite England's mounting pressure.
Harry Kane turned the tide with a decisive double: a header in the 75th minute equalized the score, and an 86th-minute strike secured the win. These two goals brought Kane's World Cup tally to 12, surpassing Gary Lineker's record of 10 and making him England's top scorer in World Cup history.
Despite an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, the African team couldn't maintain their lead. England is set to face Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday, July 5.
Belgium's Dramatic Comeback Steals the Spotlight
The afternoon's most thrilling match belonged to Belgium, who overturned a 0-2 deficit against Senegal at Seattle's Lumen Field to win 3-2 in extra time. Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr put the Red Devils on the back foot with goals in the 25th and 51st minutes, respectively.
Just when elimination seemed likely, Romelu Lukaku scored in the 86th minute, followed by Youri Tielemans' equalizer in the 89th, forcing the game into extra time. The climax came in the dying moments of the second extra period—a VAR review awarded a penalty to Tielemans, who converted it to secure the 3-2 victory and spark Belgian celebrations.
Belgium will face the United States in the next round, with their match scheduled for July 6 or 7 in Seattle.
United States Overcomes Adversity to Advance
The United States lived up to expectations by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at San Francisco's Levi's Stadium, though not without challenges. Under Mauricio Pochettino's guidance, Folarin Balogun opened the scoring just before halftime in the 45th minute, despite having a previous goal disallowed for offside.
The striker was later sent off in the second half after receiving a second yellow card, leaving the home team with ten players. Undeterred, Malik Tillman secured the victory with a direct free kick in the 82nd minute, ensuring passage to the next round.
This marks the first time since 2002 that the US has advanced past an elimination round in a World Cup, a milestone achieved as the country co-hosts the event with Mexico and Canada.
The excitement continues as Thursday's matches feature Spain versus Austria, Portugal against Croatia, and Switzerland taking on Algeria, promising more thrills in this expansive tournament.
World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Insights
How did England manage to secure their win against the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
England achieved their victory through a comeback led by Harry Kane, who scored two crucial goals, including the match-winner in the 86th minute.
What was significant about Belgium's win over Senegal?
Belgium's victory was notable for overcoming a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 in extra time, highlighted by Youri Tielemans' penalty in the final moments of the match.
In what way did the United States overcome challenges to advance?
Despite being reduced to ten players after Folarin Balogun's expulsion, the United States secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to Malik Tillman's late free-kick goal.