DR Congo complete stunning comeback to reach World Cup 2026 last 32 for historic first time

The Democratic Republic of Congo person go the latest African federation to marque past astatine World Cup 2026. Coming from behind, the Congolese defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 connected Saturday astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium successful Atlanta to unafraid an unprecedented spot successful the past 32 successful lone their 2nd World Cup quality — and their archetypal nether the country's existent name.

Combined with the gully betwixt Colombia and Portugal, the effect confirmed DR Congo's transition to the knockout rounds and acceptable up a gathering with England, who finished apical of Group L.

DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan: What happened?

DR Congo dominated possession successful the archetypal fractional without creating meaningful danger, and the opening extremity went against the tally of play. In the ninth minute, the Congolese defence switched disconnected and Eldor Shomurodov lobbed the goalkeeper to enactment Uzbekistan up successful Atlanta.

A thrilling comeback from Congo DR to unafraid a spot successful the knockouts! ??#FIFAWorldCup

The 2nd fractional told an wholly antithetic story. DR Congo were acold much incisive successful possession and were duly rewarded. Yoane Wissa equalised from the punishment spot, Fiston Mayele reacted quickest to bushed the goalkeeper and implicit the turnaround, earlier Wissa struck again to crook Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a Congolese celebration.

DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan: A broadside that kept overcoming each obstacle

The roadworthy to this World Cup was thing but straightforward for DR Congo. They amassed an awesome 22 points successful their African qualifying group, yet a nonstop berth eluded them due to the fact that Senegal were successful the aforesaid pool. They past had to decision Cameroon and Nigeria conscionable to scope the intercontinental play-offs, wherever they secured qualification with a triumph implicit Jamaica aft other time.

The way done the radical signifier was arsenic demanding. An fantabulous show against Portugal ended successful a 1-1 draw, with Wissa's extremity cancelling retired an aboriginal Portuguese opener. Against Colombia, DR Congo showed existent competitory tone but narrowly mislaid 1-0.

?? Congo DR person qualified for the Round of 32!#FIFAWorldCup

Against Uzbekistan, they were the amended broadside for agelong stretches but saw the absorption instrumentality the pb earlier the interruption and were forced to pursuit the lucifer successful the 2nd half. The punishment provided a foothold, but they pushed adjacent further guardant to unafraid the effect that booked their spot successful the past 32. Mayele provided the important breathing abstraction and Wissa sparked the celebrations successful Atlanta.

What happens next?

The triumph sends DR Congo into the past 32 to look England. The lucifer takes spot connected 1 July astatine 5pm BST, besides astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium successful Atlanta.

Uzbekistan permission disappointed aft being pegged back, adjacent if the effect would not person guaranteed a spot successful the past 32 successful their archetypal World Cup appearance. They were not mediocre against Colombia, but the dense decision to Portugal had already made qualification arsenic 1 of the champion third-placed sides an improbable proposition.