DR Congo Comeback Stuns Uzbekistan, Reaches Round of 32

ATLANTA — DR Congo’s comeback against Uzbekistan delivered more than three points: it sealed a historic place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Les Leopards shook off an early setback, turned the match around in the second half, and won 3-1.

The result mattered immediately. Sebastien Desabre’s side had to recover after Eldor Shomurodov struck early for Uzbekistan in the 10th minute. They did. Yoane Wissa scored twice, while Fiston Mayele added the other goal as the African side finished Group K with 4 points.

That total was enough to send DR Congo through behind group leaders Colombia and Portugal. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, ended bottom of the table with just one point from three matches. The margin was clear. The tension was not.

How the DR Congo comeback changed the match

Uzbekistan started with a cautious, disciplined shape. Srecko Katanec set his team up in a deep 5-4-1 block, cutting passing lanes and waiting for mistakes. It worked early. Shomurodov punished DR Congo’s loose defensive coordination and finished a quick transition move with calm precision.

From there, DR Congo took control of the ball. They finished with 61 percent possession, yet possession alone did not solve the problem. Their circulation in the final third was slow, predictable, and often too wide. Uzbekistan’s compact defense forced DR Congo’s wingers to stay on the edges, far from danger.

The frustration grew when DR Congo had a 35th-minute equalizer ruled out by semi-automated offside technology. That moment briefly stalled their momentum. For a while, it looked like one of those nights that slips away.

Desabre’s second-half adjustment made the difference

The game changed after the break. Desabre made a key tactical move, bringing in a more dynamic attacking midfielder to give DR Congo sharper ideas between the lines. The team stopped forcing high crosses into the box. Instead, they started combining quickly in the half-spaces and attacking with purpose.

The pressure rose fast. DR Congo pushed higher, pressed earlier, and made Uzbekistan defend longer stretches of the pitch. That energy began to tell. The Uzbek players looked more tired as the pace increased.

Wissa produced the equalizer in the 68th minute. He controlled the ball with his chest after a midfield recovery, then curled a beautiful shot from outside the box into the top left corner. Pure quality. One strike changed everything.

Ten minutes later, Mayele gave the crowd a reason to roar. He met a precise cross from the right side and won the aerial duel against Uzbekistan’s center back to make it 2-1. The match was slipping away from the Asian side.

In stoppage time, Wissa finished the job. DR Congo broke fast, and when Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper went forward for a corner, Wissa calmly tapped the ball into an empty net. Cold finish. Full control.

What the win means for DR Congo

The victory sent DR Congo into the knockout stage with momentum and confidence. For the national team, it marked one of the biggest achievements in its modern football history. The players knew it too. When the final whistle went, several of them were in tears.

Wissa said the team still had work to do, but he stressed that mentality carried them through the night. “There are some tactical things we need to improve from the first half. But in a tournament like this, character and a winning mentality are everything. We proved that we deserve to be here,” Wissa told reporters after the match.

Now the challenge gets harder. DR Congo will face England in the Round of 32, a clash that brings a different level of speed, structure, and individual talent. The Leopards have earned the right to dream a little longer.

They will also have a precious stretch of recovery time before that meeting. If DR Congo wants to keep this run alive, the details matter: defensive discipline in transition, cleaner decisions in midfield, and the same edge that powered this comeback in Atlanta. The next chapter is already waiting.

Quick summary:

• DR Congo recovered from an early goal down to beat Uzbekistan 3-1.
• Yoane Wissa scored twice, and Fiston Mayele added one goal.
• The reward is a Round of 32 meeting with England.

FAQ:
Q: Who scored for DR Congo?
A: Yoane Wissa scored twice and Fiston Mayele added one.
Q: What was the key turning point?
A: Wissa’s equalizer in the 68th minute changed the match.
Q: What comes next?
A: DR Congo will prepare for a Round of 32 clash with England.