England captain Harry Kane praised his side for the resilience they showed to qualify for the last 16.
"It feels amazing to be honest. What a crazy game. First and foremost we're playing against a tough and organised team. After that first hydration break, we upped the level.
"The keeper made some unbelievable saves. But keep going and the moments would come.
"Whoever it is, we have hero moments. You have to stay patient in these games. The last couple of games were very similar. The pressure is higher. But it's about being ourselves.
"From an attacking point of view, it's the best performance so far. We are in the part of the tournament where we have to grind wins out.
"I just told the boys to enjoy it. Sometimes as an England player, you don't celebrate how you should. The same as every other nation, we're through - enjoy it.
"Over the 90 minutes, we're tough to handle," he told BBC Sport.
Thomas Tuchel shares his thoughts at full time
Thomas Tuchel has shared his thoughts at full time after England came from behind to beat DR Congo.
"If everyone gets what they likes, we get an early goal, another goal, an easy afternoon. You have to deal with each situation that comes. They got a very early goal.
"After the water break, we had four or five opportunities. The penalty situation didn't go in our favour. We kept knocking, knocking and knocking.
"The reaction and belief is one of a kind. We found a way to win. Well deserved," he told the BBC.
FULL TIME: England through to last 16
It wasn't pretty, but England are through to the last 16, thanks to Harry Kane.
A dramatic game sees the Three Lions advance to the next round.
Stick with us, updates to follow.
Two minutes to go
Hang on now for England. John Stones is on as the Three Lions cling onto their lead.
IT'S HARRY KANE AGAIN!!! 2-1!
A stunning goal! Harry Kane steps up when it matters with an absolutely incredible strike!
England's captain there once again; the Three Lions have come from behind to lead!
England battering DR Congo with five minutes of normal time to play
England continue to batter DR Congo with five minutes to play of normal time.
The Three Lions looking for that winning goal as DR Congo want extra time.
Still 1-1.
GOAL: HARRY KANE MAKES IT 1-1
That's what England needed
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Harry Kane has found that magic moment!
Anthony Gordon whips in a great ball as Kane nods home to put England level.
GAME ON!
Attack, attack, attack
Djed Spence has been replaced by Eberechi Eze as Declan Rice moves into right-back.
Throwing the kitchen sink at DR Congo now.
Second hydration break
England running out of time. DR Congo continue to defend resiliently, as the Three Lions struggle to find a way.
Need that magic moment from someone.
Changes on the wings for England
Changes on the wings for England as Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford come off.
Big guns coming on.
Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon have half an hour to prove themselves.
Good chance for Marcus Rashford
Brilliant run on the left-hand side by Marcus Rashford sees him create a nice bit of space, but he puts his strike into the side-netting.
England out with purpose in second half
Already a couple of corners for the Three Lions in the opening five minutes of this second half.
Looking for a response.
SECOND HALF: England 0-1 DR Congo
Time for a response. Second half underway.
Was it a penalty?
Harry Kane went down in the first half looking for a penalty
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One of the big talking points in the first half, was it a penalty for Harry Kane?
England's captain went down after colliding with Lionel Mpasi, but the man in the middle deemed otherwise.
Players reemerging from the tunnel now, second half on the way.
England assistant head coach Anthony Barry: 'Not a time to panic'
England assistant head coach Anthony Barry insisted that it is "not a time to panic" at half-time.
"We still have 45 to play. Obviously, to concede an early goal to a team that plays this style of football is never a good thing.
"It can normally carry you into a state of shock. It is something that has released us guys. We have taken the handbrake off.
"We have created many, many, many chances. The goalkeeper is man of the match so far. It is not a time to panic," he told the BBC.
HALF TIME: England 0-1 DR Congo
At half-time, DR Congo find themselves ahead against England.
A very frustrating first half saw England go behind after seven minutes and unable to find a reply despite battering the DR Congo goal.
The Three Lions had a big call for a penalty after Harry Kane went down, but no spotkick was given.
Big team talk needed from Thomas Tuchel. DR Congo ahead at the break.
Lionel Mpasi with another great save
Lionel Mpasi with another great save to deny Harry Kane right at the death of this first half.
He has been incredible, England can't find a way through.
INCREDIBLE SAVE
Lionel Mpasi is having the game of his life at the minute. An incredible save to deny Jude Bellingham again.
England are hammering at the door, still can't find a way through.
Six minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half
Six more minutes of this first half. Entertaining for a neutral, frustrating for the rest of us.
NO PENALTY FOR HARRY KANE
Harry Kane goes over in the penalty area, and England have a big call for a spotkick.
Referee Adum Makhadmeh deems that Kane went over too easily.
It feels like DR Congo got away with one. Harsh for England.
Should be 2-0 DR Congo
Yoane Wissa. He has to score. Aaron Wan-Bissaka puts in a great delivery to Wissa, but sees his strike hit the post.
Should be 2-0.
OFF THE LINE: Rashford nearly makes it 1-1
Best chance for England so far.
The ball falls to Marcus Rashford at the far post who hits one goalwards but it is cleared off the line.
The Three Lions still pressing though.
CHANCE: Jude Bellingham goes close
Jude Bellingham went close for England
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Whatever was said in that hydration break is working. Jude Bellingham goes close with a strong header, well-saved by Lionel Mpasi.
Got to use this momentum and find a goal.
Good play by Djed Spence sees Noah Sadiki booked
Djed Spence showed a spark of life after the hydration break, driving forward and being brought down by Noah Sadiki, who went into the referee's book.
Ezri Konsa saw half a chance flash wide, better though from England.
Hydration break - England need to improve
Well, if we're all being brutally honest, that couldn't have gone really much worse.
England finding themselves behind by one goal, with DR Congo in control.
Thomas Tuchel is going around each player on the pitch, demanding more from them.
Still plenty of football to be played.
Jude Bellingham booked
A late challenge from Jude Bellingham sees the Real Madrid star pick up the first yellow card of the contest.
DR Congo's expected back four becomes a back five
DR Congo's expected back four has become a back five after that early goal.
Appear very happy to sit in now when out of possession, and can you blame them?
England stunned by opener
That opening goal has really stunned England.
Out of nothing a long ball over the top is smashed past Jordan Pickford, on what had been quite an even start till that point.
Not anymore, DR Congo in complete control. Thomas Tuchel needs to steady the ship.
GOAL: England 0-1 DR Congo
It's a terrible start for England
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Oh dear, so so simple.
DR Congo switches a simple ball over to Brian Cipenga, who cuts inside and catches Jordan Pickford out at his near post.
Problems for England. 1-0 to DR Congo.
Relatively even start so far with Jude Bellingham playing a higher role
To no surprise, Jude Bellingham is occupying a higher position to that of Panama and is keen to press DR Congo's goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Bellingham nearly caught him out once, that could be a talking point later on.
Five minutes played though, 0-0.
KICK-OFF: England 0-0 DR Congo
It's showtime! England kick us off in their last-32 tie against DR Congo.
National anthems done - time for kick-off
God save the King has just concluded at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It's time to get underway.
Ten minutes to kick-off
England are just 10 minutes away from kicking off against DR Congo
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Ten minutes to kick-off.
Whether you're joining us from work, about to clock off, or in the pub, welcome.
We're moments away from England playing their last-32 clash against DR Congo.
Who will England play next should they beat DR Congo
Not to jump the gun just yet, but should England win tonight, they will face co-hosts Mexico in the last-16.
Mexico have looked incredibly impressive so far at this World Cup, not conceding a single goal in their first four games.
They aced the group stages, with a 2-0 win against South Africa, a 1-0 victory over South Korea, and a hammering 3-0 win against the Czech Republic.
In the night, they took apart Ecuador with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a stunner from Julian Quinones and familiar face to Premier League fans, Raul Jimenez.
It will be a tough tie for the Three Lions, but got to get there first.
England fans starting to filter in
England fans are starting to filter in
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England fans are starting to filter in with just over an hour till kick-off.
Some 71,000 seats in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we expect a full house.
Captain Harry Kane arrives
Captain Harry Kane has arrived
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Captain Harry Kane has arrived at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Three Lions need a big performance from him tonight.
Glen Johnson: 'James injury is a worry as Spence is nowhere near as good'
Former England right-back Glen Johnson shared his concerns about the absence of Reece James, who is out with injury.
Djed Spence starts in place of the Chelsea full-back, with Johnson worried that James not playing could hurt England.
"Reece James getting injured is a worry, if you've got your starting eleven and any of them get injured, then technically the manager might feel the replacement isn't quite as good, that's just the reality.
"But you never know. Hopefully, he can stay fit because, as you say, he is our number one right-back.
"Someone else would have to do a job if he gets injured, but fingers crossed we can stay positive, he stays fit, and we don't need to worry about it," he said with Bet St George.
DR Congo anticipated to setup in similar way as Ghana
DR Congo appear to have switched to a 4-5-1, in a similar setup to Ghana, which frustrated England to a 0-0 draw.
Midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau has been brought in for striker Cedric Bakambu.
The 4-4-2 the African side setup with against Uzbekistan appears to have shifted, as they prepare to frustrate the Three Lions.
England lineup confirmed
England's lineup has been confirmed for their last-32 clash against DR Congo.
The Three Lions team reads: Pickford, Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Bellingham, Madueke, Kane, Rashford.
DR Congo's lineup is: Mpasi, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaka, Mukau, Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Cipenga, Wissa.
Thomas Tuchel 'would get knighthood if he wins the World Cup with England'
Former England footballer Chris Waddle believes that Thomas Tuchel "would get a knighthood if he wins the World Cup with England".
Speaking with Andy'sBetClub, he said: "I don't think people care where the England manager is from. I think people just want to win the World Cup.
"At the end of the day, we've got English players on the field, you can have anybody standing in the dugout.
"The manager can influence the team and pick the team, but it's the players who have to do the graft and the work on the pitch, and they've got to prove that they're worth the shirt and can win a trophy. I don't think people will be too bothered.
"I think Thomas Tuchel would probably get an OBE or become Sir Thomas if he wins the World Cup with England. I don't worry about that, it's the team that wins matches, not the manager."
Thomas Tuchel expected to make three changes
Three changes are expected for England this evening by Thomas Tuchel for the Three Lions clash against DR Congo.
Bukayo Saka is anticipated to be replaced by Noni Madueke, while Declan Rice comes in for Morgan Rogers.
Jarell Quansah is out injured following his start against Panama, with Djed Spence expected to come in full-back.
Lineup confirmation shortly.
Who should England watch out for?
England's biggest concern should be Yoane Wissa.
The striker has scored three goals at this World Cup, including a decisive brace in DR Congo's comeback win over Uzbekistan that secured their place in the knockout stage.
Wissa also impressed at the recent AFCON, helping DR Congo reach the latter stages with his relentless running and clinical finishing.
England must also watch captain Chancel Mbemba, who marshals a disciplined defence, while midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy has excelled at breaking up play after ranking among the tournament's top tacklers at AFCON.
New Fifa rule in action
Arsenal centre-back Piero Hincapie was dismissed during Ecuador's 2-0 World Cup last-32 defeat to Mexico on Tuesday evening, becoming the second player at the tournament sent off under FIFA's new mouth-covering regulation.
The 24-year-old defender placed his hand over his mouth whilst confronting AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez during stoppage time at the Estadio Azteca.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic initially missed the incident but was directed by VAR to review footage on the pitchside monitor before issuing the dismissal.
The rule was ratified in April following a high-profile incident involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who raised his shirt whilst speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match in February.
Tuchel's warning over complacency
Thomas Tuchel has warned England they cannot afford to underestimate "overachieving" DR Congo as the World Cup enters the knockout stage. "We have to accept that we are favourites," he said. "With that comes responsibility and pressure."
The England boss expects another frustrating afternoon against a stubborn opponent. "I expect the match to be very difficult. They are a very compact, physical and well-drilled team," he said. "Teams defend at the highest level in this tournament and it's difficult for any favourite to break them down."
Tuchel urged his players to stay patient if chances do not come early. "Don't start to doubt, don't lose belief and don't lose patience," he said. "It takes two to tango. If one team doesn't want to open the game, you have to find solutions."
Despite the challenge ahead, Tuchel remains confident England can deliver. "I trust my players. If we show our quality, our discipline and our spirit, we will push this over the line." And with millions of youngsters watching at home, he added: "We want to inspire kids watching their first World Cup game. That's a big motivation for us."
Injury latest: Two out, two in
England have been handed a mixed injury boost ahead of today's showdown with DR Congo.
Declan Rice is set to return after missing the win over Panama, but Thomas Tuchel must again reshuffle at right-back.
Reece James has failed to recover from injury, while Jarell Quansah is also ruled out after suffering an ankle problem against Panama.
Djed Spence is expected to deputise. There is better news over Bukayo Saka, who is in contention despite managing an Achilles issue.
Tuchel revealed James and Quansah are "getting close" and hopes both could be available if England reach the last 16.
World Cup latest
The World Cup knockout drama continued yesterday as France and Norway booked their places in the last 16, while Mexico joined them later in the evening.
Kylian Mbappe stole the show with a brilliant double as France cruised to a 3-0 win over Sweden, taking his tournament tally to six goals.
Norway needed a late Erling Haaland winner to edge past Ivory Coast 2-1 in a thriller, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Brazil.
Hosts Mexico then delighted their home fans with a clinical 2-0 victory over Ecuador to seal a last-16 meeting with the winners of England against DR Congo.