The Democratic Republic of Congo made history in Atlanta, overturning a deficit to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final Group K fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The dramatic victory not only marked the Leopards' maiden win in a World Cup tournament but also secured their unprecedented progression to the knockout stages, setting up a tantalising Round of 32 clash with England.
How it unfolded
Uzbekistan, making their World Cup debut, started with intent, and thought they had taken a lightning-fast lead within the first minute through captain Eldor Shomurodov, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. However, Shomurodov was not to be denied for long, expertly lobbing the ball over Congo DR goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi in the 10th minute after a defensive mix-up, assisted by Akmal Mozgovoy, to give the White Wolves a deserved early advantage. Congo DR responded, with Nathan Mbuku having an equaliser ruled out by VAR in the 17th minute due to a foul in the build-up. Despite moments of promise, including a Yoane Wissa shot in the 29th minute, the Leopards struggled to convert their growing pressure into clear-cut chances and went into the break a goal down.
The turning point
The second half saw a reinvigorated Congo DR emerge, demonstrating the resilience coach Sébastien Desabre had lauded previously. The crucial moment arrived in the 66th minute when Uzbekistan's Abdukodir Khusanov fouled Yoane Wissa inside the penalty area. Wissa, showing immense composure, stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty in the 68th minute, sending Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way and levelling the score. This goal shifted the momentum decisively, igniting the Congolese attack and visibly deflating the Uzbek side.
Watch: Yoane Wissa converts the penalty for DR Congo
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1806509491629854728
Tactical read
Congo DR's tactical adjustments and impactful substitutions in the second half were pivotal. Coach Desabre introduced Fiston Mayele for Cédric Bakambu in the 51st minute and later Meschack Elia for Nathan Mbuku in the 72nd minute. Mayele immediately offered a more direct threat, registering five shots in his 39 minutes on the pitch and providing a focal point in attack. Elia, upon his introduction, brought incisiveness and creativity, completing all 12 of his passes and delivering three key passes. The combination of Elia's deflected shot and Mayele's quick reaction for the second goal exemplified the effectiveness of these changes. Uzbekistan, under Fabio Cannavaro, initially pressed high and looked to exploit defensive errors, but their energy waned as Congo DR asserted control, particularly in midfield and wide areas with full-backs like Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Wan-Bissaka pushing forward.
Watch: WHAT SCENES FOR DR CONGO They take the lead over Uzbekistan in the 78th minute!
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1806512005081078016
Key performers
Yoane Wissa was undoubtedly the star of the show, scoring a crucial brace that included the equaliser from the spot and a superb late strike to seal the win. His composure under pressure and clinical finishing proved decisive. Fellow forward Fiston Mayele made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring the go-ahead goal with a poacher's finish and providing a constant threat. Meschack Elia also deserves credit for his late substitute appearance, providing the assists for both Mayele's goal and Wissa's second, demonstrating his ability to change the game. For Uzbekistan, captain Eldor Shomurodov was a bright spark, scoring a brilliant opener and constantly looking to create, but ultimately lacked sufficient support to turn the tide.
By the Numbers
- 58% Possession: Congo DR dominated the ball, reflecting their control over the match, especially in the second half.
- 19 Shots: The Leopards' attacking intent was clear, outshooting Uzbekistan significantly.
- 2.35 Expected Goals (xG): This figure highlights the quality and volume of Congo DR's chances, indicating a well-deserved victory.
- 30 Touches in Opposition Box: Congo DR consistently penetrated Uzbekistan's defensive third, creating dangerous situations.
- 16 Fouls Conceded by Uzbekistan: The high foul count suggests Uzbekistan struggled to cope with Congo DR's attacking play and resorted to stopping them illegally.
Watch: A beautiful curler into the bottom corner from Yoane Wissa for DR Congo
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1806514757597116416
What's next
This historic victory sees Congo DR advance to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time in their history. They will now face England in the Round of 32 in Atlanta on 1 July, a formidable challenge but one they will approach with confidence after this comeback. Uzbekistan, despite a spirited effort in their debut tournament, are eliminated after three defeats in Group K. Their coach, Fabio Cannavaro, expressed hope that this experience will provide valuable motivation for the future.
For more on the teams and the tournament, visit our dedicated pages: /teams/congo-dr, /teams/uzbekistan, and the latest /standings.
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
