DR Congo Create History: 3-1 Win Over Uzbekistan Sends Them Into First FIFA World Cup Knockouts

Published 28 June 2026 · sports

DR Congo Create History: 3-1 Win Over Uzbekistan Sends Them Into First FIFA World Cup Knockouts Published By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 07:35 IST

DR Congo Create History: 3-1 Win Over Uzbekistan Sends Them Into First FIFA World Cup Knockouts Published By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 07:35 IST Yoanne Wissa fires DR Congo past Uzbekistan for a historic first FIFA World Cup victory, setting up a Round of 32 clash against England in Atlanta. Rapid Read Yoanne Wissa celebrates Congo's third goal against Uzbekistan (Picture credit: AP) Star Newcastle United forward Yoanne Wissa scored a brace against Uzbekistan as he took the Democratic Republic of Congo into the knockouts of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history. Congo beat the Uzbeks 3-1. DR Congo will face England in the Round of 32 after bagging their first-ever FIFA World Cup win.

Earlier, Uzbekistan skipper Eldor Shomurodov had given his team the perfect start in Atlanta with a delightful lob over Lionel Mpasi, but they were unable to build on the early advantage. Wissa equalised from the penalty spot before Fiston Mayele struck the winner, sparking wild celebrations among the Congolese fans. Congo is the 11th African nation to advance from the group stage in the FIFA World Cup and the fifth to do so for the first time this year, alongside Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt and South Africa. Wissa capped off a historic night for DR Congo with a well-taken strike in stoppage time, taking his tournament tally to three goals. Uzbekistan went into the game already knowing their FIFA World Cup campaign was over, with the goal difference required to progress well beyond their reach.

But Italian great Fabio Cannavaro insisted that a victory would be a fitting legacy for Uzbekistan’s maiden FIFA World Cup campaign and his footballers responded by flying out of the blocks. Shomurodov thought he had opened the scoring after just 30 seconds, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The Uzbekistan skipper and all-time leading scorer, however, had to wait only another 10 minutes before getting the goal his start deserved. The Istanbul Basaksehir striker then showed his class, lifting the ball over Mpasi from a tight angle to hand Uzbekistan the lead. Congo will take on England on Wednesday in Atlanta at 9:30 pm IST. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 28, 2026, 07:31 IST News sports football DR Congo Create History: 3-1 Win Over Uzbekistan Sends Them Into First FIFA World Cup Knockouts Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.