A combustion control apparatus configured to operate a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine in a top dead center injection operating mode. In the top dead center injection operating mode, a fuel injection start timing is set to be before compression top dead center, a fuel injection end timing is set to be after compression top dead center, and an ignition timing is set to be after compression top dead center. The combustion control apparatus is configured to promote incylinder fuel spray penetration.