Striker Yoane Wissa netted a double as the Democratic Republic of Congo dramatically fought their way back from a halftime deficit against Uzbekistan to win 3-1 on Saturday and book their place in the World Cup Round of 32.
A penalty from Wissa and an opportunist touch from substitute striker Fiston Mayele saw the Congolese turn around the score with two goals in the space of 10 second-half minutes before Wissa got his second one minute into stoppage time at the end of the game.
The victory ensures third place in Group K, behind Colombia and Portugal who filled the top two places, and DR Congo will stay in Atlanta and take on England on Wednesday.
🇨🇩 Congo DR have qualified for the Round of 32!#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2026
Here are the ratings for their players from the match:
Lionel Mpasi (5): Was caught out of position for the Uzbek goal, having had a near perfect game previously against Colombia. He made one other crucial save but had less work to do as the game wore on.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7): Beaten for pace as the Uzbeks got their first goal, but then came good with some astonishing defending in the second half and many contributions going forward, as he likes to do.
Axel Tuanzebe (7): The English-born defender was solid at the back especially trying to deal with the threat of the Uzbeki captain Eldor Shomurodov, who was easily their best player.
Chancel Mbemba (6): The captain has lost a little bit of pace but he more than makes up for it in commitment and was leading from the front throughout a tense encounter.
Arthur Masuaku (5): A lot of mistakes and turnover of possession as Masuaku tried to be too ambitious down the left hand side.
Samuel Moutoussamy (7): Always full of running and constantly harrying the opposition although did get a needless yellow card for an ill-time tackle.
Nathanael Mbuku (7): Hit a powerful left footed strike into the net for a 17th minute equaliser but because he had hit the face of an Uzbeki defender with a trailing hand in the build-up, a fine goal was chalked off.
Noah Sadiki (6): A first start for the Sunderland player at the World Cup and he repeatedly sought to drive through the Uzbeki lines and, although proved largely unsuccessful, was a constant nuisance.
Brian Cipenga (5): Too much dribbling on the left flank came to naught and when he did managed to get a deliver in, it was too weak or straight at the opposing keeper.
Cedric Bakambu (5): The veteran striker was consistently slow in getting back from offside position and therefore squandered good opportunity. He is still a powerful competitor but it was no surprise when he was taken off in the 51stminute.
Yoane Wissa (7): Chosen as man of the match after scoring twice but to be honest he had a stinker until a needless hack on him in the Uzbek box handed DR Congo a gift penalty and launched the comeback.
Fiston Mayele (8): Once a transfer target for Kaizer Chiefs, the Egypt-based striker scored a brilliant winner as he came on for his first round out of the tournament.
Substitute Theo Bongonda, Meshack Elia, Joel Kaymebe and Ngaiyael Mukau did not have enough time on the pitch for a rating.
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