Overview
- DR Congo overturned a 0-1 deficit to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta with Yoane Wissa scoring twice, including a 68th-minute penalty and a 90+1st-minute goal, and Fiston Mayele adding a 78th-minute strike.
- Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring for Uzbekistan in the 10th minute after an earlier 20-second goal was ruled offside and a later DR Congo equalizer by Nathanaël Mbuku was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul.
- The win gave DR Congo four points and advancement as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the tournament format, and the side will meet England in the Round of 16 on Wednesday at 18:00 MESZ in Atlanta.
- Video assistant referee intervention and referee Felix Zwayer shaped key moments in the match by overturning early goals and sending Zwayer to the pitch for the Mbuku review, while the penalty that Wissa converted came after a clear foul on the striker.
- This marks DR Congo’s second World Cup appearance and their first progress beyond the group stage since 1974, a milestone that raises the team’s profile and gives players and fans a rare knockout-stage spotlight.