DR Congo reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on 27 June, with Yoane Wissa the hero of a dramatic second-half turnaround at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The African side will now face England in Atlanta in the round of 32, while Uzbekistan exit the tournament without a point, their debut World Cup campaign ending in disappointment. South Korea were also eliminated as a consequence of DR Congo’s victory, ending their hopes of advancing as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Uzbekistan made a blistering start, striking early and with real quality. Eldor Shomurodov, their record goalscorer, lifted the ball over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi from a tight angle at the corner of the box in the 10th minute, the finish floating into the far side of the net in what was one of the goals of the tournament.
DR Congo thought they had levelled moments later when Mbuku fired home from a tight angle, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for a foul in the build-up, a decision that drew fierce criticism from those watching. The African side kept pressing, however, with Wissa wasting three clear chances before the interval.
The second half belonged entirely to DR Congo. Wissa won and converted a penalty in the 68th minute, coolly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the scores. Ten minutes later, substitute Fiston Mayele put DR Congo in front, arriving at exactly the right moment to convert and send the Congolese bench sprinting onto the pitch in celebration.
Wissa then sealed the victory in stoppage time, cutting inside a defender before whipping a vicious shot into the far corner to spark scenes of bedlam among the DR Congo supporters inside the stadium.
Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities throughout, Uzbekistan could not find a response. Their physical conditioning, a concern flagged by coach Fabio Cannavaro before the tournament, appeared to wane badly in the second half as DR Congo’s relentless pressure took its toll.
The victory was DR Congo’s first ever at a World Cup, and their progression to the knockout stage is also a first in the nation’s history. They join South Africa, Egypt and Ivory Coast as African nations reaching the last 32 at the 2026 tournament, the most African teams to advance from the group stage in a single World Cup edition.
Uzbekistan exit with three defeats and two goals scored, their debut campaign falling short despite glimpses of genuine quality, particularly from the outstanding Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Abdukodir Khusanov, Manchester City’s defender, endured a torrid tournament, scoring an own goal against Portugal and struggling throughout.
South Korea’s elimination brings a bitter end to their campaign, having been beaten by South Africa in their final group match after the surprise decision to bench Son Heung-min for the first half.
DR Congo will face Group L winners England in Atlanta in the round of 32, a formidable challenge but one they will approach with the belief of a side that has just produced the greatest result in their footballing history.
