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HIGHLIGHTS | FIFA World Cup 2026, Day 21: Kane's double carries England into Round of 16; Belgium and USA advance

A defeat would surely have signalled the end of the road for the last remnants of Belgium's golden generation -- Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and perhaps Thibaut Courtois -- but instead they live to fight another day.
Belgium's Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring thrd goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Belgium's Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring thrd goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026(Photo | AP)
TNIE online desk
Summary

Welcome to TNIE's live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32.

Day 21 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 promises more action as England, Belgium and co-hosts the United States battle for places in the last 16.

England begin the day's action against the Democratic Republic of Congo, hoping to keep alive their quest to end a 60-year wait for a major international trophy. But with fellow European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands already knocked out on penalties by Paraguay and Morocco, the Three Lions know there is no margin for error.

Belgium, meanwhile, take on Senegal in what promises to be one of the day's toughest contests, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake and little separating the two sides.

Co-hosts the United States gear up for one of the biggest matches in their football history as Christian Pulisic and company bid for the nation's first World Cup knockout victory in nearly 25 years.

Here are Day 21's fixtures (all times in IST):

England vs DR Congo - 9:30 pm

Belgium vs Senegal - 1:30 am

USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina - 5:30 am

Day 20 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered more entertainment in the knockout stage. Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record, taking his tally to 18 goals in 18 tournament appearances as France booked their place in the last 16.

Erling Haaland struck late to seal Norway's historic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, sending the Scandinavians into a blockbuster last-16 clash with Brazil and securing the nation's first-ever World Cup knockout win.

Mexico, meanwhile, turned on the style at their iconic Azteca Stadium with a commanding 2-0 win over Ecuador, ending a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout-stage victory.

Belgium fully fit ahead of Senegal tie at World Cup, says Garcia

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia says his side head into their World Cup last-32 clash with Senegal in better physical condition, with a fully fit squad boosting confidence ahead of the knockout stage.

"Before this game against Senegal, we are lucky to have everyone available and that's a good thing because it was not the case for the first three games," Garcia said on Tuesday in Seattle.

"Everyone was not 100 percent unfortunately or everyone was not completely fit. But this is over."

Belgium began their World Cup campaign with successive draws against Egypt and Iran in Group G but claimed top spot courtesy of a 5-1 rout of New Zealand.

"Jeremy, Romelu are getting better. Charles, I think that his problem is over as well," said Garcia, underlining a renewed sense of optimism around the squad.

Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy out with injury for knockout round match against Belgium

Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is out for the team’s knockout round match against Belgium in the World Cup on Wednesday due to injury.

On Tuesday, coach Pape Thiaw confirmed the Al-Ahli goalkeeper will miss his second consecutive World Cup match because he injured his knee in Senegal’s 3-2 loss to Norway in group play.

Mendy returned to his club team in Saudi Arabia to undergo further testing. The 34-year-old goalkeeper was not present for Tuesday’s training session at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle, but Thiaw expects him to return Tuesday night.

“He’ll be with us tomorrow, of course, even if he won’t be fit to play,” Thiaw said in French. “We are happy to see him. We hope that he can be with us for the rest of the competition.”

Two dead in World Cup celebrations in Mexico City

At least two people died on Wednesday during massive celebrations in Mexico City as the national team advanced to the next round at the World Cup, according to the local government.

A 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of asphyxiation, according to the city's health ministry.

Authorities have not confirmed the death of a third person, reported by local media.

The celebrations came after Mexico beat Ecuador to record their first World Cup knockout win since 1986, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16.

More than a million people gathered in the streets of Mexico City, mainly around the Angel of Independence monument, according to estimates by the city government.

England vs DR Congo match kicks off

Cipenga scores early for DR Congo

Halftime: DR Congo lead 1-0

Harry Kane equalises for England

Kane strikes again to put England in lead

England beat DR Congo 2-1

Harry Kane scored a late double as England came from behind to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a World Cup last-16 clash with co-hosts Mexico.

Brian Cipenga stunned England when he fired DR Congo into an early lead, but Kane finally hit back for Thomas Tuchel's side midway through the second half before rifling in the winner inside the final five minutes.

Belgium late show floors Senegal at World Cup

Youri Tielemans scored the latest winner in World Cup history as Belgium mounted an incredible comeback from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 and qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday.

Senegal appeared on course for a first win in a World Cup knockout match since their 2002 debut after taking a 2-0 lead through strikes from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr in Seattle.

However, Belgium forced extra time as Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans scored in the final five minutes, before the Aston Villa midfielder completed a remarkable turnaround by converting a penalty in the 125th minute.

"In football, anything is always possible as long as you believe in it," said Belgium coach Rudi Garcia.

Belgium go through to a potential meeting with the United States, who face Bosnia and Herzegovina later on Wednesday, but it will be a bitterly painful pill to swallow for Senegal.

"We're out –- it hurts. We must congratulate the team, who gave it their all, but unfortunately we weren't able to hold on to our two-goal lead," rued Senegal coach Pape Thiaw.

The USA lead Bosnia 1-0 at half-time

Malik Tilman strikes to put USA 2-0 up

United States' Malik Tillman (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a free kick during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia on July 1, 2026.
United States' Malik Tillman (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a free kick during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia on July 1, 2026. (Photo | AP)

Co-hosts USA beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to reach World Cup last 16

World Cup co-hosts the USA moved into the last 16 of the tournament with a 2-0 defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Folarin Balogun opened the scoring in Santa Clara before being sent off in the second half, but Malik Tillman sealed the win with a goal from a free kiick.

The co-hosts' first World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century -- and only their second ever -- sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

Balogun's goal on the stroke of half-time had sent the crowd in California into delirium, with some 30 million Americans expected to be watching coverage of the blockbuster clash across the nation.

"The guys had to dig in deep. It didn't go exactly to plan with the red card, but that just shows what a good team we are," said US forward Christian Pulisic.

USA
England
Democratic Republic of Congo
2026 FIFA World Cup

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