FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Match Report – Wissa’s Brace Powers DR Congo to Historic 3-1 Comeback Win Over Uzbekistan

After a 52-year wait, DR Congo made their return to the World Cup with a draw and a loss prior to their game against Uzbekistan. However, with their first-ever win, they have now ensured their journey will continue.

Yoane Wissa scored a brace as DR Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. In front of 68,239 fans under the watch of referee Felix Zwayer, the Leopards turned a slow start into a convincing Group K win, clinching a third-place finish that sent them into the round of 32 to set up a massive clash against England.

Having trailed at the break thanks to Eldor Shomurodov‘s stunning strike, DR Congo responded in the second half, with Fiston Mayele also getting on the scoresheet.

Match Overview

First Half: Uzbekistan’s Historic Lead

Uzbekistan thought they had made a fast start to the contest as Eldor Shomurodov found the back of the net inside 23 seconds. However, his goal was ruled out for offside after Dostonbek Khamdamov strayed offside before testing goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

However, Shomurodov made sure his second opportunity counted in the 10th minute. He latched onto Akmal Mozgovoy‘s bouncing pass to race past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and brilliantly lob Mpasi from the left of the box. Shomurodov’s 10th-minute goal was the earliest shot Uzbekistan have attempted at the FIFA World Cup and gave them their first-ever lead in the competition.

Nathanaël Mbuku thought he had leveled the scoreline in the 17th minute, fizzing a half-volley past Abduvokhid Nematov at the near post. His goal was disallowed after a VAR review, as Mbuku’s flailing right arm struck the face of Sherzod Nasrullaev earlier in the phase of play.

Wissa was largely quiet for the opening 45 minutes, blazing a decent chance from 18 yards over the woodwork. DR Congo struggled to get into the game, reflected by the fact they managed just four off-target shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.2 before the break. Uzbekistan won more tackles and hung onto their lead at halftime.

Second Half: A Dominant Congolese Comeback

It was more of the same for the Leopards early in the second half as Nematov pushed Mbuku’s long-range strike past the post. But Sebastien Desabre’s side drastically improved after the break, recording 15 shots with four on target, highlighted by an xG of 2.14, which stands as the third-highest second-half mark at the tournament.

The game turned on its head when Wissa was brought down inside the box by Abdukodir Khusanov. The striker stepped up to score his second World Cup goal, rolling his penalty into the bottom-right corner to equalize 68 minutes in.

The resilient Uzbekistan defense succumbed to another DR Congo goal 12 minutes before time (78′), as substitute Fiston Mayele flicked an effort over Nematov following Meschack Elia’s fizzing effort. Wissa sent the DR Congo supporters wild as he cut in from the left before firing a low strike into the bottom-right corner to seal a valuable win in the 91st minute.

Goal Summary Timeline

Tactical Breakdown: DR Congo’s Unprecedented Volume

Along with scoring a team-record three goals in a FIFA World Cup match, Congo DR also set high marks in shots (19), possession percentage (57.6%), and successful passes (401).

DR Congo led possession 58-42 overall. They completed 401 of 487 passes and made 63 entries into the final third, converting 71 percent of their final-third phases. Crosses improved after the break (5 of 13 in the second half), and long balls connected at 47 percent overall.

They attempted 19 shots with 11 inside the box, while Uzbekistan had just 3 total attempts and 1 on target. The hosts created 3 big chances and scored 2 of them. They also touched the ball 30 times in the penalty area, compared to Uzbekistan’s 7. Total xG finished at 2.35 to 0.20. Both keepers logged a single save.

The Duel Within the Duel

Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan leaned on a 3-4-2-1 to compact the middle. They edged total duels 52-48 and were dominant in the air, taking 22 of 34 aerials. They also led total tackles 29-20, interceptions 12-7, and made 38 clearances. Yet those wins did not translate into chances. Two errors leading to shots and the penalty conceded by Khusanov proved costly.

Desabre’s 4-4-2 asked full-backs to step on. Arthur Masuaku (12 recoveries) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka helped build pressure wide, while captain Chancel Mbemba passed cleanly from the back. DR Congo won ground duels 46-41 and dribbles 11-6. Uzbekistan committed 16 fouls to DR Congo’s 6, with the hosts taking 15 free kicks.

Bench Impact

Mayele replaced Cédric Bakambu on 51 minutes. He fired 5 shots in just 39 minutes, worth 0.76 xG, and scored the key 2-1 goal. Elia arrived on 72 minutes. He completed 12 of 12 passes, produced 3 key passes, and assisted the third goal at 90 minutes.

Uzbekistan’s changes tried to refresh midfield control, with Azizjon Ganiev and Odiljon Khamrobekov entering on 59 minutes and Oston Urunov added later, but the pattern did not shift enough.

Player Spotlight: Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa earned Player of the Match honors with his decisive brace. He took 6 shots (four off target, two on target) and posted 1.33 expected goals. His 1.39 expected goals on target (xGOT) lines up neatly with his output. His event conversion rate sat at 33 percent. He also drew 3 fouls and contributed a clearance and three ball recoveries.

Wissa completed 17 of 19 passes and logged 40 touches. He went 6 of 7 in his own half and 11 of 12 in the opposition half. He logged 14 ball carries for 74.41 meters in total distance, though his progressive carry count read zero with a small negative progression of -1.62 meters (hinting he received to feet rather than bursting beyond lines). In duels, he won 3 and lost 9, with four aerials lost. He was dispossessed three times and had six unsuccessful touches.

Wissa’s World Cup Profile

Across three starts and 279 minutes, Wissa has three goals and no assists, with a scoring frequency of one every 93 minutes. He has taken nine shots, put three on target, and owns an 86 percent pass accuracy (43 of 50). The final-third output includes one key pass.

He has one headed goal and two with his right foot (two coming inside the box and one from outside). The duels ledger sits at 11 won from 29 overall (ground duels at 40 percent and aerials at 33 percent). He has covered 19.53 kilometers, hit a top speed of 32.85 km/h, and sprinted 23 times.

Historic Milestones for Africa

With this match, Yoane Wissa scored Congo DR’s first two all-time goals in the FIFA World Cup. The only other player to score an African nation’s first two all-time World Cup goals was Abdelrahman Fawzi for Egypt in 1934. With three goals, Wissa has equalled Morocco’s Ismael Saibari and Senegal’s Ismalia Sarr as the top-scoring players for an African country at this year’s World Cup.

At 21 years and 192 days old, Noah Sadiki became the youngest player to start a FIFA World Cup match for Congo DR, delivering 53 of 56 passes completed and 6 recoveries. For Uzbekistan, goalscorer Shomurodov also registered 3 successful tackles.

DR Congo scored two goals in a 10-minute span in the second half after having scored one goal in their first five-and-a-half matches at the FIFA World Cup (including as Zaire in 1974). DR Congo scored more goals from the 68th minute onwards (three) than they had managed in their first five-and-a-half World Cup matches combined.

DR Congo advances to the knockout round, becoming the eleventh African nation to advance from the group stage at a FIFA World Cup and the fifth to do so for the first time in 2026 (Côte d‘Ivoire, South Africa, Cabo Verde, Egypt). This is the seventh time an African team has won a FIFA World Cup match after trailing at half-time, with three of those happening in 2026 (Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan, Egypt vs. New Zealand, Algeria vs. Jordan).

Additionally, this was the third meeting at this year’s FIFA World Cup between two teams that had never won a match in the competition before, with all three producing a first-time winner (Canada 6-0 Qatar, Egypt 3-1 New Zealand, Congo DR 3-1 Uzbekistan).

Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K: Colombia vs Portugal Match Report – Colombia Secure Top Spot in Group K Following Tense 0-0 Draw with Portugal

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