Belgium also moved on, but only after a dramatic late comeback against Senegal that raised as many questions as it answered.
England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, in a match that kicked off at noon local time.
DR Congo stunned England in the seventh minute, when Brian Cipenga capitalized on a defensive lapse and a misjudged bounce to give the African side an early lead.
England struggled for long stretches after falling behind. DR Congo defended with discipline, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced a series of saves and England were repeatedly forced into low-percentage attacks.
But Harry Kane rescued England in the second half.
The England captain equalized in the 75th minute with a close-range header, finally breaking through after sustained pressure.
Kane struck again in the 86th minute. He received the ball near the edge of the area, turned across the front of the box and drove a powerful shot into the top corner to complete the comeback.
That match is expected to be a difficult test. England will have only three days to adjust before facing a co-host in Mexico City, where altitude, crowd pressure and Mexico's current form could all become factors.
Mexico has won all four of its matches in the tournament without conceding a goal.
Belgium produced the day's most dramatic escape, beating Senegal 3-2 after extra time at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The match kicked off at 1 p.m. local time.
Senegal looked on course for the last 16 after taking a 2-0 lead. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute, finishing from close range after Ismaila Sarr's header came back off the post.
Sarr doubled Senegal's lead in the 51st minute with a powerful finish after controlling a long pass from Moussa Niakhate.
Belgium looked disjointed for much of the match, but Romelu Lukaku's halftime introduction eventually changed the game.
Lukaku pulled one back in the closing minutes, turning in Thomas Meunier's low cross at the near post.
Belgium then forced extra time when Youri Tielemans headed in Leandro Trossard's delivery, completing two goals in the final minutes of regulation.
The turnaround was completed deep in extra time. After a video review, Lamine Camara was judged to have fouled Tielemans as the ball flashed across the face of goal.
Tielemans converted the penalty in the 125th minute, sending Belgium through.
Belgium showed it still has enough quality and experience to survive a knockout crisis, but the performance did little to ease concerns over its overall level.
The Red Devils will face the United States in the round of 16 in Seattle on July 6.
The U.S. beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in a match that kicked off at 5 p.m. local time.
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring just before halftime, finishing a chaotic but important chance to give the co-hosts a 1-0 lead.
But the match turned in the second half when Balogun was sent off after a video review. The striker caught Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic on the ankle with a high challenge, leaving the U.S. to play much of the second half with 10 men.
Malik Tillman scored in the 82nd minute with a free kick from a dangerous central position, bending the ball past the wall and beyond goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Bosnia had a man advantage and 10 minutes of stoppage time, but failed to make sustained pressure count.
The closest chances came late, when Bosnia fired two sharp efforts narrowly wide in the seventh and eighth minutes of added time.
The U.S. also threatened on the counterattack despite being a man down, repeatedly finding space behind Bosnia's pushing back line.
The win sent the Americans into the last 16, but Balogun's suspension now leaves them with a major attacking problem before facing Belgium.
The U.S. showed grit, discipline and transition threat under pressure. But the red card means its next match will come without its starting striker, turning a strong home victory into a complicated step forward.
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