Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to reach the World Cup last 32 for the first time in their history, setting up a meeting with England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Newcastle striker’s double, including a stoppage-time curler, capped a remarkable comeback in front of nearly 70,000 fans, the vast majority draped in Congolese flags. Wissa now has three goals in the tournament.
“DR Congo reach World Cup last 32 for first time, will face England after 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan.”
Uzbekistan, making their first World Cup appearance, started in spectacular fashion. Eldor Shomurodov, their captain and all-time leading scorer, produced a sumptuous lob over Lionel Mpasi from a narrow angle after 10 minutes. The Istanbul Basaksehir forward had earlier seen a goal disallowed for offside.
DR Congo struggled to respond. Nathanaël Mbuku thought he had equalised with an arrowed strike into the top corner, but a VAR review ruled he had fouled Sherzod Nasrullaev in the buildup, his hand brushing the defender’s face.
Just when the Congolese looked short of ideas, Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov lunged rashly at Wissa inside the box. Wissa picked himself up to calmly send Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way from the penalty spot, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
Two minutes later, history was made. Meschack Elia’s deflected shot held up for Fiston Mayele to nip in ahead of Nematov and flick the ball into the net. The mainly Congolese crowd erupted.
Wissa sealed the win deep into stoppage time, curling into the far corner from the edge of the area. DR Congo had registered their first World Cup victory and secured a last-32 tie with Group L winners England, who beat Panama to top the group. The match will kick off at 5pm UK time on Wednesday.
DR Congo’s progress continues a stunning tournament for African sides: only Tunisia have been eliminated among the 10 African teams, while Algeria can join eight others in the last 32 later on Saturday. England, seeking their first world title since 1966, carry heavy expectations under manager Thomas Tuchel.