Chalobah was named on the England bench alongside Chelsea team-mate James. However, the Blues skipper did not feature as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in the group stage against Ghana.

England were heavy favourites to win the contest in Atlanta, but fell behind after just seven minutes when Brian Cipenga was given room down the right and powered a near-post shot beyond Jordan Pickford.

Thomas Tuchel's side grew into the game and were the dominant side following the first-half hydration break. Yet DR Congo's goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi pulled off a string of excellent saves, denying Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, while Marcus Rashford saw a shot cleared off the line.

In the second period, England continued to be frustrated, but the introduction of Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka just after the hour mark gave the Three Lions fresh impetus in the final third. It proved decisive.

With 15 minutes to play, Gordon collected the ball and clipped a cross into the final third, where Kane was on hand to plant a header beyond Mpasi.

Momentum was now firmly with Tuchel's side and, as the game entered its final minutes, Kane collected a pass from Gordon on the edge of the penalty area, shifted the ball onto his right foot and fired an excellent shot into the roof of Mpasi's net to see England through.

The victory sees England progress to the last-16, where they will face Mexico at the Azteca in the early hours of Monday morning UK time (1am kick-off).