There was double heartbreak for Africa on Wednesday as two of the continent’s representatives crashed out of the 2026 World Cup after taking the lead in Round of 32 encounters.
In Atlanta, the Democratic Republic of Congo were 15 minutes away from causing one of the biggest humiliations in England’s World Cup history after stunning the Three Lions to go in front in the 7th minute courtesy of a brilliant goal scored by Brian Cipenga.
England had chances to equalise but Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi made a string of magnificent saves to keep them at bay.
England captain, Harry Kane thought he had won his side a penalty late in the first half when it appeared he was brought down in the 18-yard box by Mpasi but the referee dismissed it as diving.
The Leopards had a great chance to make scores 2-0 and perhaps kill off the game on the stroke of half time but Yoane Wissa hit the post with the goal at his mercy.
That miss came back to haunt the Africans in the 75th minute when Kane equalized for England with a superb header from substitute Anthony Gordon’s cross.
With four minutes of regulation time left, Gordon again set up Kane and the Bayern Munich hitman went past a couple of Congolese defenders before lashing in a stunning strike on the turn to win the game 2-1.
It was Kane’s 5th goal of the World Cup and means England will now face co-hosts, Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Monday, July 6.
Elsewhere at the Seattle Stadium, Senegal’s Lions of Teranga suffered an even more heartbreaking loss as Youri Tielemans scored a penalty late in extra time for Belgium who produced a sensational comeback from two goals down to win 3-2.
Senegal were just four minutes away from reaching the Round of 16 after Habib Diarra in the 25th minute and Ismaila Sarr in the 51st gave them a deserved 2-0 lead.
But Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made changes which turned the game around.
He took off Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne among others and introduced new players including Belgium all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku who sparked an incredible comeback when he flicked in Thomas Meunier’s cross in the 86th minute.
Belgium made the most of the unexpected lifeline in the 89th minute as Leandro Trossard’s cross into the box was missed by goalkeeper Mory Diaw and Tielemans headed in to level at 2-2 and force extra time.
Having rescued themselves in normal time, Belgium snatched a controversial winner in the 125th minute.
After Dodi Lukebakio’s shot brushed the crossbar, they were awarded a penalty for Lamine Camara’s sliding challenge on Tielemans just before that chance following a VAR review that took seven minutes.
Tielemans stepped up to calmly slot in the spot-kick into the top corner.
Belgium will face co-hosts the United States of America in the Round of 16 on Tuesday next week.
The Americans advanced to the Round of 16 following a comfortable 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina Thursday morning at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Folarin Balogun was both hero and villain after scoring and later being sent off.
Balogun who is having a great tournament gave the United States the lead in the 45th minute when he reacted quickest to steer Malik Tillman’s deflected pass beyond Bosnia goalkeeper, Nikola Vasilj.
The Monaco of France forward’s evening was abruptly cut short when he became entangled with Tarik Muharemovic and his studs raked down the defender’s calf towards his ankle in the 64th minute. He was sent off after a VAR review.
Despite being a man down, it was the United States who scored again as Tillman curled in a free kick in the 82nd minute to seal the victory