With the TV schedules upended this summer by both the 2026 World Cup and Wimbledon, you may well have found yourself tuned-in to today's England match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo without being much of a football expert at all. Worry not, because we've got all the essential info you need.
The national football team made it out of the group stages and into the round of 32, and this was their first knockout challenge of the tournament.
Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions went into it as the overwhelming favourites to win, but did they? Here's your essential run-down.
What's the score?
After a very stressful match, at full-time England are through to the round of 16 with a 2-1 win.
It wasn't exactly a good start, as only seven minutes in, they were already a goal down. Brian Cipenga scored quickly for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and subsequent drama saw Harry Kane being denied a first half penalty.
It remained 1-0 to DR Congo at half-time, but Kane mercifully equalised at the 75-minute mark. Ten minutes later, he did it again, and suddenly things were feeling very different.
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DR Congo had a nail-biting free kick outside the box in the literal last minute of the game... but it mercifully flew over the crossbar, and England's win was finalised.
Who was in the England starting 11?
Here's who was on the pitch in an iconic white shirt at the start of tonight's match:
• Jordan Pickford, goalkeeper
• Djed Spence, right-back - substituted off for Eberechi Eze (after second half hydration break)
• Marc Guehi, centre-back
• Ezri Konsa, centre-back
• Nico O'Reilly, left-back
• Declan Rice, midfield - substituted off for John Stones (91st minute)
• Elliot Anderson, midfield
• Jude Bellingham, midfield
• Noni Madueke, forward - substituted off for Bukayo Saka (early in the second half)
• Harry Kane, forward
• Marcus Rashford, forward - substituted off for Anthony Gordon (early in the second half)
Who was on the bench for England?
Available substitutes tonight are - deep breath: Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Dean Henderson, Jordan Henderson, Reece James, Kobbie Mainoo, Jarell Quansah, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka, John Stones, Ivan Toney, James Trafford and Ollie Watkins.
Was anyone been booked or sent off?
No, there weren't any bookings in tonight's match.
Where was the game broadcast?
The clash was broadcast live on BBC One and on iPlayer. The lead commentator was Guy Mowbray, with Alan Shearer joining him.
Back in the studio, Mark Chapman hosted, with panelists Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards and Joe Hart providing analysis.
Darren Cann, meanwhile, was on-hand with insight on referees, VAR and the like; while Kelly Somers was on the ground reporting pitch-side.
Who do England play next?
Mexico await the winners of tonight's game, as things intensify in the Round of 16. They won't be easy opponents, either. The co-hosts beat Ecuador 2-0 in their own last-32 face-off, and they have yet to concede a goal in the whole tournament.
Make the most of today's late-afternoon match-time, too: it'll be on Sunday night in the US, but back home, that means 1am on Monday morning.
What else is on?
If you're after something else to watch altogether, head here for our top no football recommendations.
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Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.
