World Cup: DR Congo end 52-year wait with historic win, set up clash with England in last 32

DR Congo ended a 52-year wait for a World Cup victory by beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on Saturday to secure a historic place in the knockout stages for the first time and set up a meeting with England in the last 32 years.**

They were playing at the World Cup for only the second time and their first appearance since the competition in Zaire in 1974. The Leopards recovered from an early setback with three second-half goals. Yoane Wissa scored twice while Fiston Mayele also found the net as Sbastien Desabre’s side produced another memorable result after holding Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stage.

HISTORY: DR Congo reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in history.

After the final whistle, the team prayed in the center circle before running off to celebrate with their fans. pic.twitter.com/hadtJ2cBZf— Sports on Predict (@predictdotsport) June 28, 2026

Uzbekistan, who are making their first appearance at the World Cup, got off to an enterprising start and took the lead in the 10th minute through captain Eldor Shomurodov. The striker finished off a fluid move with a fine lob over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi after being caught by Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

DR Congo thought they had equalized seven minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired into the net, but the goal was disallowed after he was penalized for a foul on Sherzod Nasrullaev in the set-up.

The African side enjoyed more of the ball after the break but struggled to break down a disciplined Uzbekistan defense until the game turned in the 68th minute.

Wissa was brought down in the penalty area by Abdukodir Khusanov and calmly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way to restore balance.

With the momentum now firmly in their favour, DR Congo completed the turnaround 10 minutes later. Meschac Elia kept the attack alive before Mayele reacted quickest to head the ball past Nematov from close range.

Wissa wrapped up the win in stoppage time, driving a superb finish into the bottom corner after Elia again played a key role in the build-up, prompting jubilant celebrations among the DR Congo players and supporters.

The result secured DR Congo a place in the knockout stages with four points from three games, capping a remarkable return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.

England, who topped Group L, now await the Leopards in the round of 32, while Uzbekistan’s first World Cup campaign ended after three defeats without a point.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

28 Jun 2026 07:48 IST