DR Congo complete historic World Cup breakthrough with comeback win over Uzbekistan

DR Congo created a landmark moment in their football history on Saturday, securing their first-ever World Cup victory and a place in the last 32 after overturning Uzbekistan in a dramatic 3-1 triumph in Atlanta.

The African side, inspired by a two-goal performance from Yoane Wissa, battled back from an early setback to claim a memorable victory that set up a meeting with England in the knockout phase.

For DR Congo, the result represented more than three points, it marked a breakthrough on football’s biggest stage and continued a remarkable tournament for African teams.

Uzbekistan strike early, but Congo refuse to collapse

Uzbekistan entered the match knowing their qualification hopes were hanging by a thread. The Central Asian debutants needed an extraordinary goal-difference swing to stay alive, but Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro demanded a performance that would leave a lasting mark on their first World Cup appearance.

His players responded immediately.

Eldor Shomurodov appeared to have opened the scoring inside the opening minute, smashing the ball home after just 30 seconds, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The Uzbekistan captain did not have to wait long for his breakthrough, though.

Ten minutes later, Shomurodov produced a moment of individual brilliance, lifting a beautiful lob over Lionel Mpasi from a difficult angle to give Uzbekistan a deserved lead.

DR Congo thought they had responded when Nathanael Mbuku fired a spectacular effort into the top corner, but the celebration was cut short. After a VAR review, the goal was overturned because Mbuku was judged to have fouled Sherzod Nasrullaev in the buildup.

The Africans were forced to keep chasing.

Wissa restores hope and changes the story

As the match progressed, DR Congo struggled to find a way through Uzbekistan’s defensive shape.

Shomurodov nearly doubled the advantage with another clever attempt from distance, but his effort dropped onto the roof of the net rather than into the goal.

The turning point arrived when Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov made a costly challenge on Wissa inside the penalty area.

The Newcastle forward took responsibility in the biggest moment of the night.

Wissa calmly sent Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way from the spot, igniting the nearly 70,000 supporters inside the stadium and pulling DR Congo level.

The equalizer transformed the atmosphere and shifted the momentum completely.

Two minutes later, Congo find their defining moment

DR Congo needed only a short time to complete the turnaround.

Just two minutes after Wissa’s penalty, Meschack Elia’s deflected attempt slowed in the box, allowing Fiston Mayele to react quickest. He reached the ball ahead of Nematov and guided it into the net, sending the Congolese supporters into celebration.

The comeback was complete.

What had begun as a difficult evening became a night of national pride.

Wissa seals a night to remember

Uzbekistan pushed for a response, but DR Congo remained dangerous on the break.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Wissa delivered the final blow.

The striker collected the ball near the edge of the area and curled a superb finish into the far corner, completing his brace and confirming a historic victory.

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre praised the forward’s resurgence, saying Wissa was now showing “the best version of himself” after a challenging first season following his £55 million move from Brentford to Newcastle.

Wissa had already played a key role earlier in the tournament, scoring in DR Congo’s 1-1 draw against Portugal, although he missed a major opportunity to equalize early in the second half of that match.

African teams continue remarkable World Cup run

DR Congo’s progress adds another chapter to an extraordinary tournament for African football.

With most of the continent’s representatives still alive, the Leopards have joined a growing group of African nations advancing beyond the group stage. Only Tunisia had been eliminated among the African teams.

For DR Congo, however, the focus is now on England.

A first World Cup victory has already secured their place in history. The next challenge will be testing themselves against one of the tournament’s traditional heavyweights.