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<\/p>\nYoane Wissa scored two as the Democratic Republic of Congo fought from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta and book a round of 32 clash against England. <\/p>\n
The Newcastle forward was the star of the show as he scored his second and third goals of the tournament to ensure his side clinched third in Group K with DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup victory. Wissa was also on target as the Leopards drew with Portugal on matchday one.<\/p>\n
What’s now DR Congo’s most glorious footballing victory, nearly wasn’t to be. Uzbekistan opened the scoring after a quick start through captain Eldor Shomurodov. He found the back in the opening minute, only for it to be chalked off for offside.<\/p>\n
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\n Nathan Mbuku’s equalising goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up<\/p>\n
DR Congo, who needed a win to progress, were then sparked into action. Although Nathan Mbuku’s equaliser was ruled out after his flailing arm caught Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face during the build-up, Wissa provided the lifeline. The 29-year-old was caught in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov and stepped up to coolly convert his penalty.<\/p>\n
![\"Congo's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/skysports-wissa-congo_7284684.jpg\")
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\n Wissa scored DR Congo’s equaliser from the penalty spot<\/p>\n
Fiston Mayele, a second-half substitute, put Congo’s noses in front for the first time before Wissa arrowed in a third to seal the win. The same stage that saw DR Congo claim a famous victory will house their first knockout tie against England on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The key moments from Atlanta…<\/a><\/p>\n 1: OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Uzbekistan nearly take an early lead, straight from kick-off. Skipper Shomurodov beats Mpasi but the flag goes up instantly for offside.<\/p>\n 10: GOAL! Shomurodov takes full advantage of a DR Congo mess at the back, lobbing the ball over Mpasi, who is caught in no man’s land.<\/p>\n 18: GOAL! Nathan Mbuku fires DR Congo level, but it’s immediately checked by VAR.<\/p>\n 19: NO GOAL! VAR rules out Mbuku’s equaliser for a foul in the build-up.<\/p>\n 35: DR CONGO WANT A PENALTY! Cipenga goes down in the area after Alidzhanov places two hands on the forward. It looks like a push!<\/p>\n 66: PENALTY TO DR CONGO! Khusanov catches Wissa in the area with a swing and a miss.<\/p>\n 68: GOAL! Wissa sends Nematov the wrong way with a coolly taken penalty.<\/p>\n 78: GOAL! Mayele pokes DR Congo in front to complete the comeback.<\/p>\n 90+1: GOAL! Wissa fires from range to seal DR Congo’s spot in the round of 32.<\/p>\n Why DR Congo is a test Tuchel will have wanted to avoid <\/p>\n Image: Analysis by Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri: <\/p>\n “If you’re looking for your dark horses in the knockout stages, you won’t find one in DR Congo. Instead, you’ll find a prowling, stubborn Leopard, primed and ready to spring a surprise or two.<\/p>\n “Portugal came away licking their wounds, with scars exposed in their meeting with DR Congo, leading to the questioning of a stellar array of footballers.<\/p>\n “Not only did DR Congo claim a point against Portugal, who were considered one of the competition’s favourites from the onset, but onlookers would be justified to argue that Sebastien Desabre’s men deserved a victory.<\/p>\n “Colombia offered a different test, and while DR Congo eventually ceded under pressure late on in the game, the principles were clear – defend first and ask questions later.<\/p>\n “DR Congo isn’t a side designed to entertain; they are a nation built on not losing. Despite Yoane Wissa’s three goals in the competition, the defence is where Desabre has placed his focus during his reign in charge of DR Congo.<\/p>\n “Under his stewardship, DR Congo has never been beaten by more than a one-goal margin since taking over the national team in 2022. For context, Thomas Tuchel, who took over England last year, has already lost by a two-goal margin, a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.<\/p>\n “Congo’s goalscoring is a stumbling block too, with the side scoring one goal or fewer in two-thirds of their matches (66.7 per cent).<\/p>\n “The inquest into England’s lack of creativity, inspiration or energy in attacking areas continue despite their 2-0 win over Panama. On a quest to fix that, don’t expect Tuchel to find easy prey to remedy that against the stubborn DR Congo.”<\/p>\n What the result means… <\/p>\n What the managers said…<\/p>\n DR Congo boss Sebastien Desabre: “We have to congratulate the players – they were the ones who were extraordinary.<\/p>\n “We’re a team that knows how to respond when we concede a goal; we keep fighting with determination.”<\/p>\n Uzbekistan boss Fabio Cannavaro: “The first half we did an amazing performance, we prepared the game in this way. I knew we spent a lot of energy, I knew we were running too much, and I was afraid for the second half,” he said.<\/p>\n “I tried to push them at half time but of course, at this level if we make small mistakes – what I said against Colombia, against Portugal – you pay too much. Of course this World Cup for us is some experience, I’m proud because even if they suffered, they showed what they can do.”<\/p>\n Player ratings: <\/p>\n Monterosa<\/p>\n This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies. Enable Cookies<\/a>![\"Congo's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/skysports-congo-wissa_7284685.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Wissa has now scored three times at the World Cup<\/p>\n
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