Leopards may be stronger than Three Lions - but not than "monster" called Harry Kane!

The Leopards found the way to contain the Three Lions, but sometimes, a “monster” in the rivals’ ranks cannot be stopped.

DR Congo played a fantastic game against England, had the lead thanks to Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener, and even hit the post - courtesy of Yoane Wissa - that could have paved the way for their stunning victory, but…

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In the final 15 minutes, Harry Kane entered his “beast mode” and single-handedly completed his team’s captain, leading them to the Round of 16, where they’ll face Mexico (July 5).

As for the Congolese, they can be proud of themselves and their performance, and, naturally, a bit angry, but not too much - some “monsters” are sometimes impossible to stop.

The first decent chance of the game led to an opener, and while the public expected England to dictate the tempo, DR Congo broke the deadlock!

A long ball, Djed Spence's poor reaction, and Brian Cipenga's powerful and accurate finish into the near corner, which caught Jordan Pickford unprepared, put the Leopards in front just seven minutes into the game.

The stunned Three Lions visibly began to panic, regaining their composure only after the hydration break when Thomas Tuchel's speech apparently helped.

In the following 25 minutes, the DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi emerged as his team's hero, denying two of Jude Bellingham's strong headers and Harry Kane's point-blank volley, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka blocked Marcus Rashford's close-range strike with a goal-line clearance.

On the other side, Yoane Wissa wasted a colossal opportunity to knock the favourites down completely, but his first-time finish from a 5-meter distance hit the post.

One Kane's fall in the rivals' box could have turned the tables in the final minutes of the first half, but both the referee from Jordan, Adham Makhadmeh, and the VAR room did not react.

In the end, the Congolese remained 1-0 up at the break.

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Mpasi's heroics continued after the break, as he stopped Bellingham for the third time in the 53rd minute, while England's struggles continued.

Tuchel subbed on almost his entire firepower, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Eberechi Eze, forcing Declan Rice to play the right-back, but it paid off.

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For half an hour in the second half, the Leopards' defence held firm, but then one of the Three Lions turned into a "monster" that single-handedly "killed" the brave African team.

In the 75th minute, Kane levelled the score, as one header finally tricked Mpasi and found its way into the net, and then 11 minutes later, he scored a screamer, completing England's comeback!

Sebastien Desabre's men didn't have enough strength to hand another blow to the rivals, and their terrific World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 32. Still, they can be immensely proud of themselves, as they wrote new chapter in the history books of the Congolese football.

On the other hand, Tuchel and his lads will have enough time to fix all the mistakes - and there are plenty of them - and prepare for the Round-of-16 clash against the co-hosts, Mexico (July 5).

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 32

Sunday

South Africa - Canada 1-0 (0-0)

/Eustaquio 90+2/

Monday

Brazil - Japan 2-1 (0-1)

/Casemiro 56, Martinelli 90+5 - Sano 29/

Germany - Paraguay 3-4 on penalties (0-1)

/Havertz 54 - Enciso 42/

Tuesday

Netherlands - Morocco 2-3 on penalties (1-1)

/Gakpo 72 - Diop 90+1/

Ivory Coast - Norway 1-2 (0-1)

/Diallo 74 - Nusa 39, Haaland 86/

France - Sweden 3-0 (1-0)

/Mbappe 45, 74 Barcola 53/

Wednesday

Mexico - Ecuador 2-0 (2-0)

/Quinones 22, Jimenez 31/

England - DR Congo 2-1 (0-1)

/Kane 75, 86 - Cipenga 7/

23.00: (2.15) Belgium (3.25) Senegal (3.75)

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***