Full Breakdown
DR Congo’s Comeback Victory Over Uzbekistan Secures Knockout Spot and Sets Up England Clash
6/28/2026, 4:15:45 AM
DR Congo Secures Knockout Qualification
In Atlanta, the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3–1 to claim third place in Group K and a place in the round of 32. After falling behind to Eldor Shomurodov’s early goal, Congo equalised via a penalty awarded when Abdukodir Khusanov fouled Yoane Wissa. Wissa converted the spot-kick, Fiston Mayele added a second-half lead, and Wissa completed the comeback with a late strike from the edge of the box.
Group K Context and DR Congo’s World Cup History
Congo entered the match needing a win; a draw would have eliminated them. The side had previously drawn 1–1 with Portugal and lost 1–0 to Colombia, leaving them third in the group. The victory marks Congo’s first World Cup win and its inaugural progression to the knockout stage. The nation’s only prior appearance was as Zaire in 1974, when it lost all three matches.
Key Players and Coaching Staff
- Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United forward) – scored the penalty and the stoppage-time winner.
- Fiston Mayele (substitute) – netted the go-ahead goal.
- Nathanael Mbuku – had an equaliser ruled out after VAR determined his arm struck Sherzod Nasrullaev in the build-up.
- Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan captain) – opened scoring in the 10th minute.
- Abdukodir Khusanov – defender whose foul led to the penalty.
- Abduvohid Nematov – Uzbekistan goalkeeper who faced both the penalty and Mayele’s finish.
- Sébastien Desabre – head coach of DR Congo, whose side had already drawn with Portugal.
Match Timeline
- 10´ – Shomurodov lobbed the ball over the defense to give Uzbekistan a 1–0 lead.
- Early second half – Mbuku’s equaliser disallowed after VAR review for a hand-to-face foul.
- 66´/68´ – Wissa awarded a penalty after being tripped by Khusanov; he sent Nematov the wrong way.
- ~68´–78´ – Mayele flicked the ball past Nematov at the near post to put Congo ahead.
- Stoppage time – Wissa struck from the edge of the box into the bottom-right corner, sealing the win.
Match Statistics
- Final score: DR Congo 3, Uzbekistan 1.
- Goal scorers: Shomurodov (1), Wissa (2), Mayele (1).
- Penalty conversion: 100 % (Wissa).
- Disallowed goal: Mbuku’s equaliser ruled out after VAR review.
Implications of the Win
Congo becomes the eighth African nation to advance from the group stage at this tournament. The result guarantees a round-of-32 encounter with England in Atlanta on Wednesday at 17:00 BST, marking Congo’s first knockout-stage appearance. The comeback underscores the team’s resilience after a modest group-stage record and adds a new narrative to African participation in the World Cup.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact minute the penalty was awarded: one timeline lists the incident at the 66th minute, while another narrative places it in the 68th minute. No official statements from the DR Congo Football Federation or coach Sébastien Desabre are included in the available reports, leaving the team’s formal reaction undocumented.
What’s Next
DR Congo will face England in the round of 32 on Wednesday in Atlanta, with the match scheduled for 17:00 BST. The outcome will determine whether the Leopards continue their historic run or exit the tournament.
