How DR Congo Made First-Ever World Cup Knockout Stage After Dramatic Win over Uzbekistan
DR Congo advanced after beating Uzbekistan 3-1, their first World Cup win, and will meet England in the last 32.
- On Saturday, The Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta, securing their first-ever World Cup match victory and advancing to the knockout rounds for the first time.
- Congo was playing in football's biggest tournament for only the second time after a 52-year absence; their sole previous appearance occurred in 1974 when competing as Zaire.
- Trailing early to Eldor Shomurodov's 10th-minute goal, Yoane Wissa converted a 68th-minute penalty to equalize. "I think tonight we just showed what it means for us is just to fight no matter what," Wissa said.
- England clinched first place in Group L after defeating Panama 2-0 on Saturday, setting up a round of 32 matchup with Congo scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta.
- Congo became the eighth African nation to advance from the group stage at the 2026 tournament, continuing a stunning World Cup run for African teams across the competition.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Haunted no more: DR Congo reach World Cup knockout stages 52 years on
The Democratic Republic of Congo's only previous World Cup appearance left a shadow over the country's soccer history, but more than half a century later they wrote a new chapter in Atlanta by clinching a place in the knockout stages on Saturday.
Congo rallies past Uzbekistan to reach World Cup knockouts for 1st time, will face England
For 52 years, Congo's standout World Cup memory was a humiliating 9-0 rout at the hands of Yugoslavia in its only other appearance on soccer's biggest stage. Not anymore. Not after a new generation of players made history by advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time and set up a clash with England.
Winnipeg Free Press
One Extraordinary Photo: Congo players and staff gather in prayer after a win
ATLANTA (AP) — Mike Stewart is a chief photographer in the Southern USA for The Associated Press. He is a 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner and is based in Atlanta. Stewart covers sports, news and enterprise stories for the AP.
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