The latest FIFA World Cup 2026 action saw England survive a scare, and Belgium play out an all-time classic against Senegal.
Here is our recap of all the action from Monday, including what you might have missed overnight.
World Cup Day 21 recap:Â
Kane the hero as unconvincing England survive DR Congo scare
To win the World Cup, you often need a bit of luck on the way. England have not been at their best in North America, but Thomas Tuchel’s side will take their place in the last 16.
England produced one of their most abject first-half performances in major tournament memory to trail DR Congo at half-time, with goalkeeper Lionel Mapasi Nzau making a series of stunning stops after Brian Cipenga’s early opener.
DR Congo came close to a second when Yoane Wissa hit the woodwork, and when England were denied a penalty, things looked to be going all wrong for the Three Lions.
Fortunately, England have Harry Kane. In a tournament where the game’s biggest superstars are all delivering, it was Kane’s turn to take centre stage. A header from Anthony Gordon’s cross levelled with 15 minutes to go, before the Bayern Munich forward thumped in an 86th-minute winner.
10 – Knockout stage goals at major tournaments by European players since EURO 2020:
Harry Kane -🔟
Kylian Mbappé -7⃣
Dani Olmo -3⃣
Kasper Dolberg -3⃣
Gonçalo Ramos -3⃣Colossal. pic.twitter.com/QLGtIQPyzr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 1, 2026
That’s 13 World Cup goals for Kane across his career, more than Pele. His five for the tournament have kept England’s hopes alive.
Tielamans turns things round as Belgium stun Senegal in classic
Some fans could have been forgiven for turning the telly off in the final moments of this one. Senegal were in complete control against Belgium, leading 2-0 with only four minutes to go.
Habib Diarra’s opener had been added to by a sublime strike from Ismaila Sarr, and Belgium’s underwhelming World Cup campaign looked over. Until it wasn’t.
Romelu Lukaku steered in on 86 minutes to give Belgium a lifeline, before a stunning conclusion saw Youri Tielemans force extra time. The midfielder met Leandro Trossard’s cross to head home, with Senegal ‘keeper Mory Diaw all at sea.
Senegal were stunned, but extra-time appeared set to pass without a winner before penalties. Belgium, again, had other ideas. In the final seconds, an outstretched Lamine Camara caught Tielemans in the box, giving Belgium a chance to win it with the last kick of the game. Up stepped the felled Aston Villa midfielder to emphatically slam home with 125 minutes on the clock and send Senegal home.
After the chaos of the AFCON final, this was another drama-filled contest involving the Senegalese. Again, they came out on the wrong side of it.
Balogun red card mars US win over Bosnia
The USA made it a hat-trick of co-hosts in the last 16, joining Canada and Mexico in the next round. Mauricio Pochettino’s team were well worth their win over Bosnia, sealed through goals from Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, but it came at a cost.
Balogun, who has become only the third American to score three goals at a World Cup, opened the scoring and could have had a hat-trick before an incident involving Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic saw his night ended prematurely.
The incident that led to a red card for Folarin Balogun.
Correct decision? pic.twitter.com/bzgLMxKFgS
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 2, 2026
When contesting for the ball, Balogun’s foot came down on Muharemovic’s ankle, with it appearing grim viewing on first look. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus agreed, despite it appearing entirely accidental, and Balogun was dismissed. He’ll now miss the USA’s clash with Belgium in a big blow.
Read – Five world-class players who never featured at a World Cup
See Also – Every record broken in the 2026 World Cup group stage
