Wissa brace sends DR Congo into World Cup Round of 32

DR Congo secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after staging a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their decisive Group K clash at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday morning.

Needing a win to keep their World Cup hopes alive, Sebastien Desabre's men recovered from an early setback after Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov fired his side ahead in the 10th minute from Aleksandr Mozgovoy's assist.

The Congolese dominated much of the contest but found Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov and the defence difficult to break down during the opening hour. Yoane Wissa missed a free header, while Nthanael Mbuku forced a fine save with a fierce long-range strike. Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu was also unable to make an impact before being replaced by Fiston Mayele midway through the second half.

Desabre's attacking substitutions proved decisive as DR Congo piled on the pressure. Their breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov brought down Wissa inside the penalty area. The Newcastle United forward confidently converted the resulting spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the scores.

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The Leopards continued to dominate and completed the turnaround 10 minutes later when substitute Mayele tapped home after connecting with Meschack Elia's deflected cross, capping an outstanding second-half display and sending the Atlanta Stadium into celebration.

Wissa then put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time. After Elia kept the ball in play and picked him out inside the area, the forward took a touch, cut inside and curled a superb low finish into the bottom corner for his second goal of the match, sealing a memorable comeback victory and DR Congo's place in the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

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The victory lifted DR Congo to four points, enough to finish third in Group K and secure qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

In the group's other decisive fixture at Miami Stadium, Colombia and Portugal played out a goalless draw. Although neither side managed to find the breakthrough, the result was enough to send both nations into the knockout phase.

Colombia finished top of Group K with seven points after an unbeaten group-stage campaign, while Portugal claimed second place with five points. DR Congo advanced in third with four points as one of the best third-placed finishers, while Uzbekistan's defeat left them bottom of the group and eliminated from the tournament.

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WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)

Group K

Sunday

Colombia-Portugal (0-0)

DR Congo-Uzbekistan (1-0)

/Shomurodov 10/

Group J

Sunday

04.00: (3.75) Algeria (2.35) Austria (2.85)

04.00: (13.0) Jordan (6.25) Argentina (1.23)

***odds are subject to change***