Wayne Rooney: Harry Kane a hero after two goals against Congo, but big concerns remain

JAKARTA - Wayne Rooney praised Harry Kane as a hero after the England captain scored two goals as his team bounced back from a deficit to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup 32-team round, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, WIB night.

The Bayern Munich striker equalised Brian Cipenga's opener (7') in the 75th minute before a brilliant shot in the 86th minute took England into the last 16 to face hosts Mexico.

"The header was brilliant, but the second goal was incredible and he is a top player. All the best players in the world are playing in this World Cup. He is the English superstar, he is a hero for us."

"There are a few things they need to improve. I'm not too sure about the midfield and the defense in that performance."

"But the most important thing in football is that you have to get through it and Harry Kane has done it again for us," Rooney, whose record for most goals for England was broken by Kane in 2023, told the BBC.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards agreed with Rooney's opinion. He added that Tuchel was right to build his team around the central striker.

"Tuchel has built his team around Kane because he is a true superstar. He is the one who has performed when they needed him the most. He is a true hero," he said.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart also praised Kane, but said the overall performance was a concern.

"He (Kane) knows that it was not a good performance and he knows they had to fight hard. They have completed the task in difficult circumstances. Their captain has succeeded."

"They have passed it, but the evaluation session in the next few days will be very important," said Hart.

Kane has increased his tally at the 2026 World Cup to five - just one goal behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi - the same as Erling Haaland and one more than Vinicius Junior and Ousmane Dembele.

"That's the World Cup you're watching, those names are at the highest level," Hart said again.

Rooney was impressed with the quality of Kane's second goal, who found space in a crowded area to score with a hard shot that beat the goalkeeper at the left post.

"Your muscle memory, you know where you are on the field, the little details. He's definitely been in this position many times in training and games."

"He knows the environment around him and the defenders around him, he knows where the space is to put his touch. As soon as his touch goes into that space, he knows exactly what he's doing."

"He started it from outside the goalpost and passed it back inside, he shot it perfectly," Rooney said of Kane.

Prince William also posted a joke-like compliment for England's winning scorer.

"Never in doubt. Great job England! On to the next game!"

However, in addition to praising Kane, Rooney said he was worried about another less than satisfactory performance.

"For me there is a big concern. We are all happy that England qualified. It's just that, especially when England loses the ball, they are very open."

"Against a better team, I think England will be in big trouble if they don't improve that. The connection between the back line and the midfield is not good."

"The full-backs are struggling, (Noni) Madueke is struggling - there's no connection and a big gap in the middle of the pitch, that's a big concern for me."

"He (Tuchel) really needs to see that. Otherwise, England will be eliminated," said the former Manchester United player.