Harry Kane Bails Out England Again. This Time It Took a Near Disaster.

England nearly pulled off one of the worst World Cup exits in their history on Wednesday. Instead, they did what they always do when things get tight: they found Harry Kane.

Down 1-0 to DR Congo at halftime after a first half that might be the most lifeless 45 minutes Thomas Tuchel’s side has played in a major tournament, England looked cooked. Brian Cipenga scored early for the Congolese, and their goalkeeper Lionel Mapasi Nzau turned into a wall, stopping everything England threw at him. Yoane Wissa even hit the post for DR Congo. It felt like one of those nights where nothing goes right.

But Kane doesn’t really do quiet exits. His header from Anthony Gordon’s cross tied it in the 75th minute, and then he smashed home the winner in the 86th. That’s 13 World Cup goals for Kane now, which is more than Pelé scored in the tournament. Five goals in four games this World Cup. The guy is carrying this team on his back, and everyone knows it.

Over in the other game, Belgium pulled off something genuinely insane against Senegal. With four minutes left in regulation, Senegal led 2-0. Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had them cruising. Belgium’s tournament was supposed to be over. Romelu Lukaku had other plans.

Lukaku scored in the 86th minute to make it 2-1. Then, in stoppage time, Youri Tielemans headed in a Leandro Trossard cross to force extra time. Senegal’s keeper Mory Diaw looked lost on the play. At that point, extra time felt like a formality before penalties. But Belgium wasn’t done.

In the final seconds of extra time, Lamine Camara caught Tielemans in the box with an outstretched leg. Penalty. Tielemans, the guy who got fouled, stepped up and buried it in the 125th minute. The last kick of the game. Senegal went home stunned. The AFCON final chaos all over again for them, just on a different stage.

The U.S. men’s national team made it three for three among co-hosts, joining Canada and Mexico in the round of 16. Mauricio Pochettino’s squad beat Bosnia 2-0 behind goals from Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman. It was a solid win, but it came with a problem.

Balogun opened the scoring early and looked dangerous all night. He’s now only the third American to score three goals at a single World Cup. But late in the game, he got tangled with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic while going for a ball. His foot came down on Muharemovic’s ankle, and it looked ugly in real time. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus gave Balogun a straight red. It looked accidental, but the call stood. Balogun will miss the U.S. matchup against Belgium in the next round, which is a massive blow for Pochettino.