Yoane Wissa struck twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat eliminated Uzbekistan in Atlanta and seal a spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage and a last-32 meeting with England on Wednesday.
Eldor Shomurodov had a goal ruled out inside the first 30 seconds before putting Uzbekistan on course for their first points at the finals with a deft angled lob after 10 minutes.
Nathanael Mbuku’s strike for the Leopards was contentiously disallowed for a foul in the build-up following a Video Assistant Referee check before the break, but Wissa equalised with a 68th-minute header and Fiston Mayele prodded in 10 minutes later to turn the scoreline around.
Newcastle forward Wissa added another in style during second-half added time, finding a far corner of the net with a low shot on the turn from outside the box.
How’s he done that 🤯
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2026
Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring for Uzbekistan, and it was some finish. pic.twitter.com/sx9PSbUUL1
Table of Contents
World Cup 2026: DR Congo confirmed team vs Uzbekistan
DR Congo starting XI: Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Brian Cipenga, Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa
DR Congo substitutes: Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Steve Kapuadi, Dylan Batubinsika, Joris Kayembe, Gedeon Kalulu, Ngalayel Mukau, Theo Bongonda, Aaron Tshibola, Charles Pickel, Edo Kayembe, Gael Kakuta, Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele, Simon Banza
World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan full line up vs DR Congo
Uzbekistan starting XI: Abduvohid Nematov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Jakhongir Urozov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Eldor Shomurodov
Uzbekistan substitutes: Utkir Yusupov, Botirali Ergashev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Umar Eshmurodov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Behruzjon Karimov, Avazbek Ulmasaliyev, Jamshid Iskanderov, Odiljon Xamrobekov, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Oston Urunov, Azizjon Ganiev, Sherzod Esanov, Azizbek Amonov, Igor Sergeev
World Cup 2026: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan stats
- Only Wales (64 years, between 1958 and 2022), Egypt (56 years, between 1934 and 1990) and Norway (56 years, between 1938 and 1994) have had longer gaps in successive World Cup participations than DR Congo
- Only Bolivia (first 5 games), Canada and Greece (first 4 games) have played more games at the tournament before scoring their first goal than DR Congo, who are yet to open their account
- Including play-offs, 10 of DR Congo’s 13 qualifying matches were drawn (2) or decided by a one-goal margin (6 wins, 2 losses), while keeping a clean sheet in eight of their 13 matches
- In African qualifying, only Gambia and Gabon (3 each) had more players with at least six goal involvements than DR Congo, for whom Cedric Bakambu (4 goals, 2 assists) and Wissa (3 goals, 3 assists) contributed six each
- Sebastien Desabre is at his third major tournament in charge of DR Congo, who the Frenchman guided them to fourth place at the 2023 AFCON and the round of 16 at the 2025 edition
- Uzbekistan were making their World Cup debut
- They are one of only five teams to have reached the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup at each of the last six tournaments, alongside Iran, Iraq, Japan and Korea Republic.
- Qatar were the only team to beat Uzbekistan in their 16 qualifiers, scoring the winner in the 12th minute of added time at home
- Shomurodov was involved in more goals than any other Uzbekistan player in qualifying, contributing five goals and four assists
- Head coach Fabio Cannavaro played every minute as captain of winners Italy at the 2006 World Cup, with his appearances at four editions a joint-record for the Azzurri
- Appointed in October 2025, Cannavaro is in his second managerial spell with a national team after leading China PR in 2019
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