Anthony Gordon has hailed Harry Kane as operating at “the very, very top of football” after the England captain’s decisive brace helped seal a dramatic comeback win over DR Congo in their World Cup knockout tie. The result books England a place in the last 16, where they will face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on July 6.
FIFA World Cup, England vs DR Congo: Highlights
The game itself swung wildly from England discomfort to late control, with Kane emerging as the difference-maker after a testing night against a disciplined DR Congo side.
Gordon was full of admiration when reflecting on Kane’s influence in the dressing room and on the pitch, placing the striker in rare historical company alongside Lionel Messi.
“Yeah, it’s amazing to be around him every day because when you’re around someone at that elite level, he’s at the very, very top of football,” Gordon said after the game. “He’s having a season that’s only ever been bettered by Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer of all time, so that speaks to the level he’s playing at.”
Harry Kane has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s single-season tally of 69 goals, taking his record to 72 goals this campaign, including five in four appearances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His remarkable scoring run now places him second only to Lionel Messi’s record of 91 goals in a single season among active players.
“That’s what you see every day in training and in matches. You realise quickly it’s not luck, it’s consistency. He’s just relentless with the way he works, the way he finishes, the way he prepares. You learn from it just by being around it.”
The remarks underline Kane’s continued evolution as England’s leader, with his influence extending beyond goals into standards and mentality within the squad.
SUBSTITUTE GORDON RAISES THE BAR
Right when England’s attack was starting to look flat and predictable, Thomas Tuchel changed the rhythm from the touchline. Anthony Gordon’s introduction proved to be the turning point as England finally found the spark they had been missing. Thrown into the action alongside Bukayo Saka, the Barcelona winger instantly changed the tempo, stretching DR Congo with his movement, direct running and sharp decision-making in the final third.
Gordon’s impact was immediate and decisive. He delivered a perfectly measured cross from the left that Harry Kane met with a composed header into the bottom-left corner, breaking Mpasi’s resistance at last. It was the kind of delivery England had been lacking all night in serving Harry Kane, and Gordon’s quality stood out in a tight, tense knockout clash.
He wasn’t done there. As England pushed DR Congo back, Gordon again found space in a dangerous area and showed great awareness to pick out Kane on the edge of the box. The England captain made no mistake, drilling a powerful finish into the top-right corner to complete the turnaround.
From the moment he stepped on the pitch, Gordon changed the game. His creativity and precision provided the platform for Kane’s brace, transforming a frustrating evening into a dramatic England comeback.
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