Congo DRvsUzbekistan

Result

DR Congo overturned an early deficit to reach the knockout stage for the first time. Eldor Shomurodov volleyed Uzbekistan ahead inside ten minutes, but Yoane Wissa's penalty and Fiston Mayele's finish turned it around, and Wissa added a third in stoppage time. The Leopards go through as one of the best third-placed teams, while Uzbekistan's World Cup debut ends without a point.

Congo DR 4-4-23-4-2-1 Uzbekistan

Congo DR

Uzbekistan

Yoane Wissa68'

Eldor Shomurodov10'

Fiston Mayele78'

Yoane Wissa90'+1'

Noah Sadiki21'

Abdukodir Khusanov43'

Nathanaël Mbuku45'+5'

Sherzod Nasrullaev48'

Samuel Moutoussamy62'

58%Possession42%

19Shots3

4On target1

1Saves1

2Corners4

400Passes completed269

82%Pass accuracy76%

20Tackles29

30Touches in box7

Substitutions

Fiston Mayelefor Cédric Bakambuat 51'

Odiljon Xamrobekovfor Otabek Shukurovat 59'

Meschack Eliafor Nathanaël Mbukuat 72'

Azizjon Ganievfor Dostonbek Khamdamovat 59'

Théo Bongondafor Brian Cipengaat 72'

Oston Urunovfor Abbosbek Fayzullaevat 73'

Ngal'ayel Mukaufor Samuel Moutoussamyat 72'

Jamshid Iskanderovfor Akmal Mozgovoyat 82'

Joris Kayembefor Arthur Masuakuat 83'

Igor Sergeevfor Jakhongir Urozovat 82'

At this Stage

Congo DR finished the way a third-placed team has to: from behind, and with authority. Eldor Shomurodov's volley had Uzbekistan ahead inside ten minutes; Yoane Wissa's penalty, Fiston Mayele's finish and Wissa's stoppage-time third turned it into 3-1 and four Group K points. The Leopards' full case — a draw with Portugal, a one-goal loss to group-winners Colombia, and now this — goes to the best-third pool, where results in other groups decide whether it is enough; all Congo DR can do is wait. The top of the group resolved quietly, Colombia and Portugal playing out a 0-0 that left them first on seven and second on five, both unbeaten. Uzbekistan's debut World Cup closes with three defeats and no points. Win, then hope: it is the only script available from third place, and Congo DR played it to the letter.

Group K

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Colombia	3	2	1	0	+3	7
Portugal	3	1	2	0	+5	5
Congo DR	3	1	1	1	+1	4
Uzbekistan	3	0	0	3	-9	0

Top two (above the accent line) advance to the round of 32; the third-placed team is in the race for one of the eight best-third spots.

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Congo DR to edge a dead rubber. Both sides are effectively out — Congo DR (one point) need a big win and a cascade of favours to sneak a best-third place, while Uzbekistan (no points, minus-seven) are eliminated. The Leopards have looked the steadier side, conceding far fewer goals, and Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu give them a cutting edge a porous Uzbekistan defence may struggle to contain in Atlanta. With little but pride at stake, Congo DR's greater quality should show. 2-0 Congo DR.

Both cases written 2026-06-26, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.