Congo DR vs Uzbekistan 2026

Congo DR Roar Back to Reclaim Pride in Atlanta

In a Group K clash brimming with tension at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Congo DR staged a spirited comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1, salvaging a night that began in nightmare fashion. Just ten minutes in, Uzbekistan striker Eldor Shomurodov silenced the crowd with a clinical early strike, giving the Central Asian side an unexpected lead and hope of ending their campaign on a high. For much of the first hour, that solitary goal loomed large as Congo DR searched desperately for a foothold in a match they simply could not afford to lose without consequence.

The turning point arrived in the 68th minute, when Yoane Wissa stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, restoring parity and igniting the Congolese resurgence. The momentum swung decisively as Fiston Mayele powered home just ten minutes later to put his side ahead for the first time, before Wissa completed his brace deep into stoppage time at the 90th minute to seal a resounding 3-1 victory. From the depths of an early deficit, Congo DR summoned the grit and quality that had eluded them in the opening exchanges, turning frustration into jubilation.

Yet in the cruel arithmetic of the group stage, the triumph was ultimately bittersweet for Congo DR, who finished third in Group K with four points—agonizingly short of the qualification places. Both sides bowed out of the tournament, with winless Uzbekistan finishing bottom on zero points, their World Cup adventure ending without a single victory. At the summit, Colombia advanced as group winners with seven points, joined by Portugal in second on five, both booking their places in the knockout rounds. For Congo DR, this hard-fought win offers a measure of dignity and a foundation to build upon, even as they depart the biggest stage in football with heads held high.