Congo DR Reach World Cup Knockouts for the First Time After Wissa Brace Beats Uzbekistan 3-1

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The Democratic Republic of Congo have qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in a dramatic comeback at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Uzbekistan took the lead through Eldor Shomurodov in the tenth minute, which at that point would have sent them through at Congo DR's expense. But Yoane Wissa, who has been one of the revelations of the tournament, equalised in the 68th minute from the penalty spot after a handball, then scored again in stoppage time to put Congo DR ahead. Felix Mayele added a third in the 90th plus minute to seal it.

The result meant Congo DR qualified in second place in Group K, setting up a round of 32 match against England in Atlanta on July 1. Wissa's three goals at this tournament match his entire Premier League season tally for Newcastle United across 28 appearances. The 28-year-old has been electric when given space and England's defence, which has been troublingly permeable at times, will need to deal with him far more convincingly than they handled Panama or Ghana.

For Uzbekistan the exit ends a debut World Cup appearance that generated enormous goodwill. They lost all three group games but were competitive in two of them and won the affection of neutral supporters throughout. Their first World Cup appearance, qualifying from Asia in a tournament expanded to 48 nations, gave them experience that will define their next generation of players. DR Congo meanwhile are writing history. Their last World Cup was in 1974 as Zaire. To return as Congo DR and reach the knockouts in their first game back is an achievement the country will celebrate for decades.

2026 World Cup: How teams advanced to the knockout roundswww.espn.com