Player ratings DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan — DR Congo wins 3-1 to qualify for first-ever World Cup knockouts

Congo reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time by winning 3-1 against Uzbekistan on Saturday evening.

After a 52-year absence, the African country played in the largest football tournament for only the second time in its history. Two second-half goals from Yoane Wissa and one from Fiston Mayele sealed the victory and saw Congo join Cape Verde as a surprise qualifier for the Round of 32.

Uzbekistan led through Eldor Shomuradov’s first-half strike, which seemed to end Congo’s hopes.

But Sébastien Desabre’s team, who had already achieved one of the surprise results of the World Cup by holding Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw in the opening match, fought back after the break.

Trailing behind Shomurodov’s lobbed goal in the 10th minute, Congo equalized in the 68th minute when Wissa was brought down by Abdukodir Khusanov in the box for a penalty.

Wissa rose to his feet and sent Uzbek goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way by rolling the ball into the bottom corner, setting up a dramatic finale.

Mayele gave Congo the lead ten minutes later when he fired past Nematov at the near post after Meschack Elia’s shot was deflected.

Wissa put the result beyond doubt in extra time with a curling shot into the bottom corner.

Congo’s only previous appearance at the World Cup was when it competed under the name Zaire in 1974 and lost all three matches, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.

The draw against Portugal was the first point in this stage and that had to be followed up with a first win to continue as one of the best third-placed teams. It became the eighth African country to reach the group stage at this tournament.

Published on June 28, 2026