The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) achieved their first-ever World Cup victory, defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta. This historic win secures their place in the round of 32, where they are scheduled to face England. Yoane Wissa was a pivotal player, scoring two goals, while Fiston Mayele added another to complete the comeback.
The match saw Uzbekistan take an early lead through captain Eldor Shomurodov. His goal came after an earlier effort was disallowed for offside in the opening minute. Shomurodov capitalised on a defensive error, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to put his side ahead.
DR Congo, needing a win to advance, responded with determination. An equaliser from Nathan Mbuku was initially celebrated but subsequently ruled out by VAR due to a foul in the build-up, where his arm made contact with Sherzod Nasrullaev‘s face.
Wissa’s Impact and Comeback
Yoane Wissa, a forward for Newcastle, became the central figure in DR Congo’s turnaround. He was fouled in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov, leading to a penalty. Wissa calmly converted the spot-kick, sending Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way to level the score.
This penalty marked Wissa‘s second goal of the tournament. His earlier goal came during DR Congo’s draw with Portugal on matchday one. His performance in this match was crucial for the team’s progression.
Shortly after Wissa‘s equaliser, substitute Fiston Mayele put DR Congo in front for the first time. His goal came from a deflected shot by Meschack Elia, allowing Mayele to tap the ball into the net. The atmosphere in the stadium, largely filled with Congolese supporters, erupted following this goal.
Wissa then sealed the victory with his second goal of the match and third of the tournament, curling a shot from the edge of the area into the far corner during stoppage time. This secured DR Congo’s 3-1 triumph and their advancement to the knockout stages.
Looking Ahead to the Round of 32
The victory ensures DR Congo finished third in Group K, marking their first-ever progression to the knockout rounds of a World Cup. Their next challenge will be against England in the round of 32, with the match scheduled to take place on Wednesday at the same venue in Atlanta.
DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre acknowledged the significance of the upcoming match. He stated that preparations would begin immediately, noting that some players in the squad have experience in the English league, which could be beneficial. Desabre praised his players, highlighting their ability to respond effectively after conceding a goal and their persistent determination.
Uzbekistan‘s coach, Fabio Cannavaro, reflected on his team’s performance, particularly their strong first half. He expressed concerns about the energy expended and the consequences of small mistakes at this level. Despite the loss, Cannavaro expressed pride in his players’ effort and viewed their participation in the World Cup as a valuable experience.
The progress of DR Congo continues a strong showing for African teams in the tournament. With only Tunisia eliminated among the ten African nations, eight have already advanced to the last 32, with Algeria potentially joining them in their final group matches.
Yoane Wissa‘s exceptional performance earned him the player of the match award, with an average rating of 9.20. Other notable performances for DR Congo included Fiston Mayele with an average rating of 9.00 and Joris Kayembe with 8.50.
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Source: skysports.com
