DR Congo booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after producing a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final Group K match at Miami Stadium.
Uzbekistan made the brighter start and took the lead after just 10 minutes through captain Eldor Shomurodov, who calmly chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to put his side in front.
The Central Asian nation looked on course for its first-ever World Cup victory as it carried the advantage into halftime.
However, DR Congo returned from the break with renewed determination and gradually took control of the contest.
Yoane Wissa restored parity in the 68th minute from the penalty spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to reignite his team's hopes of qualification.
The momentum shifted completely in favor of the African side ten minutes later when Fiston Mayele reacted quickest to a rebound inside the penalty area to score the go-ahead goal and complete the turnaround.
Wissa then sealed the victory in stoppage time with his second goal of the match, finishing off a swift attacking move to secure a 3-1 win and confirm DR Congo's place in the knockout stage.
The victory lifted DR Congo to four points, enough to qualify for the Round of 32, while Uzbekistan finished bottom of the group without a point, ending its World Cup campaign without a win.
The result also marked DR Congo's first-ever victory at a FIFA World Cup, making the dramatic comeback one of the standout moments of the final round of the group stage.
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