The latest FIFA World Cup 2026 match results saw England and Belgium secure dramatic comeback victories to reach the Round of 16. Harry Kane’s late brace rescued England in a 2-1 win over DR Congo, while Youri Tielemans’ historic 125th-minute penalty capped Belgium's 3-2 extra-time triumph over Senegal.
ATLANTA — The high-stakes drama of the knockout stages reached a fever pitch on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 match results saw European heavyweights England and Belgium narrowly escape historic upsets. In two separate Round of 32 fixtures, both teams overturned deficits late in the second half to keep their respective championship aspirations alive.
In Atlanta, a late brace from captain Harry Kane rescued England from the brink of elimination, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a fearless Democratic Republic of the Congo squad. Meanwhile, in Seattle, Belgium produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in tournament history, fighting back from two goals down against Senegal to triumph 3-2 after extra time. The dramatic outcomes finalize crucial spots in the upcoming Round of 16, setting up high-profile clashes for the next phase of the global tournament.
Kane Rescues England in Gritty Atlanta Encounter
At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, England entered their knockout tie as overwhelming favorites but were immediately stunned by a disciplined DR Congo side. The African underdogs capitalized on early defensive errors when winger Brian Cipenga drifted unmarked into the penalty box, drilling a low right-footed strike past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the seventh minute to open the scoring.
For the next 68 minutes, Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession but struggled to penetrate the highly organized defensive block deployed by the Congolese squad. Leopards goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi delivered an exceptional performance, denying close-range attempts from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, while Bukayo Saka saw an effort crash against the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when Kane found space inside the area to hit a dramatic equalizer. The England captain then completed the comeback in the 86th minute, spinning away from his marker to head home an accurate cross from Anthony Gordon. The victory ensures England will face co-hosts Mexico in a highly anticipated Round of 16 showdown at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Tielemans Completes Historic Extra-Time Escape for Belgium
Simultaneously, the FIFA World Cup 2026 match results at Seattle Stadium recorded a historic thriller as Belgium overturned a two-goal deficit against African champions Senegal. The Lions of Teranga dominated the first half, taking the lead in the 25th minute when Habib Diarra swept home a rebound following a Sadio Mané cross that deflected off the post. Senegal extended their lead six minutes into the second half when Ismaïla Sarr controlled a long pass from Moussa Niakhaté to slot the ball past veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Faced with an embarrassing exit, Belgian manager Domenico Tedesco introduced all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku from the bench, transforming the team’s attacking dynamic. Lukaku ignited the revival in the 86th minute, converting a low cross from Thomas Meunier. Just three minutes later, Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans stunned the Senegalese supporters by nodding home a Leandro Trossard delivery to level the score at 2-2 and force extra time.
With a penalty shootout looming in the final moments of extra time, Tielemans was brought down inside the box by Lamine Camara. Following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee pointed to the spot. Tielemans stepped up in the fifth minute of stoppage time in extra time to confidently convert the penalty, registering the latest winning goal in World Cup history and sealing a 3-2 victory.
Official Sources Section
The verified statistics, match event metrics, and disciplinary records detailed in this report are sourced directly from official governing bodies and event organizers:
FIFA Official Match Centers: Live match logs, official box scores, and VAR system logs from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Seattle Stadium databases.
The Football Association (FA): Corporate post-match press briefings detailing squad fitness reports and the upcoming travel schedule to Mexico City.
Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA): Operational announcements confirming tactical changes and media schedules for the Round of 16 preparation window.
Quote Section
"According to officials from the Senegalese delegation, the team displayed immense pride despite the heartbreaking nature of the defeat. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw declined to openly criticize the late VAR intervention, stating that while the players held their own interpretation of the challenge, they must congratulate Belgium on their clinical efficiency in the final minutes of play."
Why It Matters
The latest FIFA World Cup 2026 match results carry massive implications for global sports betting markets, tournament sponsors, and international broadcasting networks, as the continuation of England and Belgium preserves high-viewer television matchups. For fans and sports investors, these matches prove that the gap between elite European nations and emerging African teams has narrowed significantly, promising highly volatile betting lines and tactical parity as the tournament shifts into the deeper knockout phases.
Key Facts at a Glance
Late Heroics: Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes of regular time to elevate England to a 2-1 victory over DR Congo.
Record Winner: Youri Tielemans scored the latest winning goal in tournament history by converting a 125th-minute penalty after extra time.
Next Round Set: England officially books a travel slot to face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
Comeback History: Belgium’s recovery from a 2-0 deficit marks only the second time in the last 11 World Cups that a team trailing by two goals in a knockout match advanced.
FAQ Section
What were the official FIFA World Cup 2026 match results for July 1?
England defeated DR Congo 2-1 in regular time in Atlanta, while Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time in Seattle.
Who will England play next in the Round of 16?
England has advanced to play co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16 at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
Did Romelu Lukaku start the match against Senegal?
No, Romelu Lukaku was introduced as a second-half substitute before scoring Belgium's opening goal in the 86th minute.
What historic record was broken during the Belgium vs Senegal match?
Youri Tielemans scored the latest winning goal in World Cup history by successfully converting a VAR-awarded penalty in the 125th minute of play.
Source: FIFA Media Hub, The Football Association Official Portal, Royal Belgian Football Association Updates.
