Yoane Wissa scored a brace as DR Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 at Atlanta Stadium and clinch a third-place finish in Group K that sent them into the round of 32.

2026 World Cup

3-1

Match Report

Yoane Wissa scored a brace as DR Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 at Atlanta Stadium and clinch a third-place finish in Group K that sent them into the round of 32.

Having trailed at the break thanks to Eldor Shomurodov's stunning strike, DR Congo responded in the second half, with Fiston Mayele also getting on the scoresheet.

Uzbekistan thought they had made a fast start to the contest as Shomurodov found the back of the net inside 23 seconds. However, his goal was ruled out for offside after Dostonbek Khamdamov strayed offside before testing Lionel Mpasi.

However, Shomurodov made sure his second opportunity counted in the 10th minute, latching onto Akmal Mozgovoy's bouncing pass to race past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and brilliantly lob Mpasi from the left of the box.

Nathanael Mbuku thought he had levelled the scoreline in the 17th minute, fizzing a half-volley past Abduvokhid Nematov at the near post, but his goal was disallowed after a VAR review, after Mbuku's flailing right arm struck the face of Sherzod Nasrullaev earlier in the phase of play.

Wissa was largely quiet for the opening 45 minutes, though he had a decent chance from 18 yards, only to blaze over the woodwork before the break.

It was more of the same for the Leopards in the second half as Nematov pushed Mbuku's long-range strike past the post.

But the game turned on its head when Wissa was brought down inside the box by Abdukodir Khusanov. The striker then stepped up to score his second World Cup goal, rolling his penalty into the bottom-right corner to equalise 68 minutes in.

The resilient Uzbekistan defence succumbed to another DR Congo goal 12 minutes before time, as Mayele flicked an effort over Nematov following Meschack Elia's fizzing effort.

Wissa sent the DR Congo supporters wild as he cut in from the left before firing a low strike into the bottom-right corner to seal a valuable win in the 91st minute.

A thrilling comeback from Congo DR to secure a spot in the knockouts! 🇨🇩#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2026

DR Congo seal historic last-32 spot with England up next

After a 52-year wait, DR Congo made their return to the World Cup with a draw and a loss prior to their game against Uzbekistan, but with their first-ever win, they have now ensured their journey will continue. 

After Shomurodov's first-half goal, which marked the first time Uzbekistan have ever taken the lead in a World Cup game, DR Congo struggled to get into the game, reflected by the fact they managed just four off-target shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.2 before the break.

However, Sebastien Desabre's side improved after the break, recording 15 shots with four on target, highlighted by an xG of 2.14. 

They scored more goals from the 68th minute onwards (three) than they had managed in their first five-and-a-half World Cup matches (one). Wissa scored their first two goals at the tournament – the only other player to score an African nation's first two all-time goals was Abdelrahman Fawzi for Egypt in 1934.

DR Congo are the 11th African side to advance from the group stage of a World Cup, and they will look to make more history, with England next up for them in the round of 32.

Line-ups

Congo DR XI: Bakambu, Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, Mbemba, Masuaku, Yoane Wissa, Moutoussamy, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, Nathanaël Mbuku, Brian Cipenga, Noah Sadiki

Subs: Kakuta, Théo Bongonda, Kayembe, Dylan Batubinsika, Aaron Tshibola, Gédéon Kalulu, Simon Banza, Charles Pickel, Meschack Elia, Edo Kayembe, Timothy Fayulu, Fiston Mayele, Steve Kapuadi, Matthieu Epolo, Ngal'ayel Mukau

Uzbekistan XI: Otabek Shukurov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Eldor Shomurodov, Khozhiakbar Alizhonov, Abduvokhid Nematov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Abdukodir Khusanov, Jakhongir Urozov

Subs: Igor Sergeev, Jamshid Iskanderov, Utkir Yusupov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Odildzhon Khamrobekov, Umar Eshmurodov, Aziz Ganiev, Botirali Ergashev, Azizbek Amanov, Oston Urunov, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Abdulla Abdullaev, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Sherzod Esanov, Bekhruz Karimov