DR Congo has advanced to the World Cup last 32 for the first time in their history, securing a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their final group-stage match. This win sets up a meeting with England in the knockout stage. The African side came from behind after Uzbekistan initially took the lead in Atlanta.
The match saw Uzbekistan‘s Eldor Shomurodov open the scoring, capitalising on a defensive error. His lob over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi gave his side an early advantage. This goal came after a miscommunication between Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who were slow to challenge for a loose ball.
Despite Uzbekistan‘s strong start and attacking play in the first half, DR Congo showed resilience. An earlier goal for DR Congo was disallowed for a foul in their own half during the build-up, a decision that was arguably harsh. Nathanaël Mbuku had found the net with a strike inside the near post before the VAR review.
Second-half turnaround
After the break, DR Congo emerged with renewed energy, determined to secure the three points needed for progression. Their efforts were rewarded when Newcastle‘s Yoane Wissa was fouled inside the box by Manchester City‘s Abdukodir Khusanov. Wissa converted the resulting penalty, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the score.
The equaliser ignited the predominantly Congolese crowd, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the stadium. Just two minutes after Wissa‘s penalty, Fiston Mayele put DR Congo ahead. He latched onto a deflected shot from Meschack Elia, prodding the ball past goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov from close range.
Wissa then sealed the victory in stoppage time, curling an effort into the far corner from the edge of the area. This goal marked his second of the match and his third of the tournament, completing a historic night for DR Congo.
Looking ahead to England clash
The 3-1 win means DR Congo finishes third in Group K. Their next challenge will be against England in the last 32, with the match scheduled for Wednesday at 17:00 BST in Atlanta.
DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre acknowledged the significance of the upcoming fixture. He stated that preparations would begin immediately, noting that some players in the squad have experience in the English league, which could be beneficial for the team.
For Uzbekistan, the defeat marked the end of their World Cup journey. Despite knowing they faced a significant goal difference challenge to progress, coach Fabio Cannavaro had emphasised the importance of a win for their first World Cup appearance. Shomurodov‘s early goal, initially disallowed for offside, eventually came after 10 minutes with a lob over Mpasi.
Cannavaro reflected on the outcome, describing the World Cup as brutal and noting the sadness among his players. He mentioned that the players gave their all and that their suffering was felt deeply in Uzbekistan. The progress of DR Congo continues a strong showing for African teams in the tournament, with only Tunisia among the 10 African sides having been eliminated so far.
Algeria also has the opportunity to join the eight African nations that have already progressed to the last 32 in their final group matches.
Source: bbc.com