Yoane Wissa delivered a match-winning performance as the Democratic Republic of Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta, securing a place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 against England.
The Newcastle United forward once again proved his importance for the Leopards, scoring twice to take his tournament tally to three goals and hand DR Congo their first-ever World Cup victory. Wissa had already made his mark earlier in the competition, finding the net in their opening draw against Portugal.
It was a historic night for DR Congo, but it almost slipped away before it truly began.
Uzbekistan came flying out of the blocks, with captain Eldor Shomurodov causing immediate problems. He thought he had opened the scoring in the very first minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. But the warning signs were clear, and just ten minutes later he capitalized on defensive confusion to give Uzbekistan the lead, calmly lobbing goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud Mpasi.
Needing a win to stay alive, DR Congo responded with urgency. Nathan Mbuku looked to have brought them level, but VAR intervened after spotting a foul in the build-up, as his arm caught Sherzod Nasrullaev.
The turning point came in the 68th minute when Wissa was brought down in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov. The striker kept his composure, stepping up to bury the penalty and restore hope for his side.
From there, the momentum shifted completely.
Substitute Fiston Mayele completed the comeback in the 78th minute, poking home to put DR Congo ahead for the first time. Then, deep into stoppage time, Wissa put the game beyond doubt with a powerful long-range strike, sending the Congolese fans into celebration.
The victory means DR Congo will now face England in the knockout stages on Wednesday — a clash that promises to test both sides.
A Tough Opponent Awaits England
Under coach Sébastien Desabre, DR Congo have built a reputation as one of the toughest teams to break down. Their resilience has already frustrated Portugal and pushed Colombia to the limit, making them one of the tournament’s most dangerous underdogs.
While they may not be the most entertaining side, they are incredibly disciplined, organized, and difficult to beat. Desabre’s men have not lost by more than one goal in his four-year tenure — a remarkable record that shows just how stubborn they can be.
For England manager Thomas Tuchel, this is far from an ideal draw. With questions still lingering over England’s creativity despite their recent win over Panama, DR Congo’s defensive steel could prove to be a serious challenge.
What the Managers Said
Desabre praised his players after the historic result:
“We have to congratulate the players. They were extraordinary. This team knows how to respond when we concede — we keep fighting with determination.”
Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro reflected on his side’s performance:
“The first half was excellent and exactly how we planned it. But at this level, small mistakes cost you dearly. This World Cup has been a valuable experience for us, and I’m proud of how the team fought.”
For DR Congo, this was more than just a win — it was a statement. And with Wissa in this kind of form, England know they will have to be at their best to avoid a major upset.
