DR Congo World Cup breakthrough: Wissa brace downs Uzbekistan as Congo reach last 32
Yoane Wissa’s brace helped DR Congo reach the World Cup last 32 with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan; Colombia and Portugal also advanced on a dramatic Group K finale.
DR Congo reached the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup for the first time after a comeback 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Atlanta, with Yoane Wissa scoring twice and Fiston Mayele adding a crucial goal. The win delivered DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup victory and sets up a last-32 meeting with England. (skysports.com)
Wissa brace sends DR Congo into the last 32
Yoane Wissa emerged as the decisive figure in a tense Group K finale, converting a second-half penalty and capping the win with a stoppage-time strike to seal the result. Wissa’s two goals completed Congo’s turnaround after they fell behind early and ensured the team advanced from the group stage for the first time in the nation’s World Cup history. (skysports.com)
Fiston Mayele’s composed finish earlier in the second half had put the Congolese in front and calmed a largely Congolese crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The combination of Wissa’s composure from the spot and Mayele’s quick reaction highlighted Congo’s resilience under pressure as they chased the result they needed. (sportsmole.co.uk)
Second-half turnaround and key moments
Uzbekistan struck first when Eldor Shomurodov lobbed goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi from an acute angle, a finish that stunned the crowd and put Congo on the back foot. That early goal forced DR Congo to chase the game, and they gradually seized the initiative in the second half as their attacking pressure began to tell. (tbsnews.net)
The equaliser came from a penalty awarded after sustained pressure; Wissa’s cool conversion levelled the match and shifted momentum decisively. A subsequent sequence saw Meschack Elia and other wide players probe the Uzbek backline, creating the opening for Mayele to flick home and give Congo the lead before Wissa’s late finish closed the game. (theanalyst.com)
Uzbekistan’s early promise and tactical retreat
Uzbekistan started brightly and had cause for optimism after Shomurodov’s early punt over the keeper, which exposed vulnerabilities in Congo’s defensive shape. After taking the lead, Uzbekistan increasingly adopted a conservative posture, inviting possession and attempting to counterattack rather than sustain pressure. (tbsnews.net)
That reactive approach left gaps in midfield and allowed DR Congo to control possession and territory in the second half, a switch that ultimately proved decisive. Uzbekistan pushed for a late response but were unable to find a finishing touch as Congo’s defence managed the closing stages to protect the lead. (skysports.com)
Colombia and Portugal advance from Group K
While Congo completed their historic comeback in Atlanta, Miami provided a contrasting contest as Colombia and Portugal played out a 0-0 draw that was enough to send both sides into the knockout rounds. Colombia finished top of Group K and will face Ghana in the round of 32, while Portugal complete the group as runners-up and are set to meet Croatia. (cbsnews.com)
The goalless game in Miami was competitive and featured a late offside decision that ruled out a Colombia goal, underscoring how fine margins determined group placements. Both teams will take confidence from securing progression; Colombia for topping the group and Portugal for steadying a campaign that had wavering moments earlier in the tournament. (skysports.com)
South Korea eliminated as third-place race tightens
The combination of results in Group K has significant knock-on effects elsewhere in the tournament, most notably for South Korea, who were pushed out of the eight best third-placed positions and eliminated from the tournament. The outcome leaves questions over captain Son Heung-min’s international trajectory, with a premature exit denying a more decisive finale to his World Cup campaign. (world.kbs.co.kr)
South Korea’s elimination was the consequence of an unforgiving third-place ranking system that rewards both results and goal difference across groups. For the players and coaching staff, the end of the group stage will prompt immediate reflection on what went wrong and how the team can rebuild beyond this World Cup. (world.kbs.co.kr)
Implications and the path ahead: England awaits DR Congo
By reaching the last 32, DR Congo now face a substantially tougher test in England, a team that will represent one of the tournament favourites and an entirely different level of opposition. For Congo the focus will shift quickly from celebration to preparation, as they must devise a game plan that counters England’s strengths while exploiting any transitional moments. (skysports.com)
England will enter that fixture as favourites on paper, but Congo’s confidence from a first World Cup victory and the cohesion shown in their comeback could narrow the gap in a single-elimination match. The draw has handed Congo an opportunity that few expected at the tournament outset, and how they approach training, recovery and tactical discipline will determine whether they can extend their run. (theanalyst.com)
This tournament day reshaped expectations across Group K and beyond, producing a historic milestone for DR Congo and confirming the fine margins that define World Cup progress. The knockout stage now brings matchups that promise contrasting narratives, as established powers and surprise qualifiers prepare for the volatility of single-game eliminations.
