Football · Atlanta
DR Congo seal first World Cup win since 1974, beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to set up England clash
Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta and advance to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
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In brief
DR Congo trailed early but rallied with three second-half goals to win 3-1.
First World Cup win since 1974 as Zaire, first knockout appearance.
The Leopards will face Group L winners England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Eight of ten African teams have advanced to the last 32, a new high for the continent.
- 27 JunWissa converts a penalty after Khusanov's foul, levelling the score.
- 27 JunMayele flicks in a deflected shot to put DR Congo ahead.
- 27 JunWissa scores his second in stoppage time to seal the comeback.
Match recap
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov lobbed the goalkeeper from a narrow angle in the 10th minute to give the debutants an early lead. The Congolese thought they had equalised when Nathanaël Mbuku curled a shot into the top corner, but VAR disallowed it for a foul in the build-up. The first half ended 0-1.
Second-half turnaround
A penalty awarded for Abdukodir Khusanov's foul on Wissa midway through the second half changed the game. Wissa converted calmly in the 68th minute. Substitute Fiston Mayele pounced on a deflected shot to flick the ball home 12 minutes from time. Wissa added a third in stoppage time to seal the historic victory.
African surge
The win made DR Congo the eighth African team to reach the last 32, with only Tunisia eliminated and Algeria still to play. It is the first World Cup victory for the Leopards since they competed as Zaire in 1974, when they lost all three matches and conceded 14 goals. The squad had prepared for the tournament in spite of an Ebola outbreak back home.
“Winning a World Cup match is wonderful. It would be a satisfaction for my players, they left their families behind. Tomorrow's match can be important for us to grow more.”
What's next
The Congolese, who finished third in Group K with four points behind Colombia (7) and Portugal (5), will face England in the round of 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday. Uzbekistan, with no points, exit their first World Cup.
- Colombia
- 7 points
- Portugal
- 5 points
- DR Congo
- 4 points
- Uzbekistan
- 0 points
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Sources and context
- ReutersDR Congo seal place in World Cup knockouts with comeback win over Uzbekistan
- The GuardianDR Congo set up last-32 meeting with England after comeback win over Uzbekistan
- europa pressLa República Democrática del Congo olvida el pesar del 74
- Süddeutsche ZeitungWM 2026: DR Kongo feiert, Portugal nur auf Platz zwei
- Yoane Wissa
- Newcastle United and DR Congo forward, scored two goals.
- Eldor Shomurodov
- Uzbekistan captain and all-time leading scorer, opened the scoring.
- Fiston Mayele
- DR Congo substitute who scored the winning goal.
- Nathanaël Mbuku
- DR Congo midfielder whose goal was disallowed by VAR.
- Abdukodir Khusanov
- Manchester City and Uzbekistan defender, conceded the penalty.
- Meschack Elia
- DR Congo midfielder who assisted the second goal.
- Sébastien Desabre
- DR Congo head coach.
- Fabio Cannavaro
- Uzbekistan head coach, former Italy captain.
- Places
- Atlanta
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