DR Congo fight back to reach a first-ever knockout stage
DR Congo made history at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time. A Yoane Wissa brace inspired the comeback after an early Uzbekistan opener, lifting the Leopards to a best-third-placed finish in Group K and sparking jubilant celebrations for a nation enjoying its deepest run at the finals.
How it unfolded: Wissa turns it around
Eldor Shomurodov put Uzbekistan ahead on 10 minutes, but DR Congo responded strongly. Yoane Wissa converted a penalty on 68 minutes and added a stoppage-time second, with Fiston Mayele also scoring on 78 to complete the turnaround. The second-half display was full of confidence and clinical finishing as the Leopards overwhelmed a tiring debutant side.
Context: a landmark for the Leopards
Reaching the knockouts is new ground for DR Congo, and the come-from-behind manner — recovering from an early deficit with their place on the line — made it all the sweeter. Sebastien Desabre's side showed resilience and belief, Wissa the match-winner but the triumph a collective one that sparked jubilant scenes. Uzbekistan's first World Cup ends in disappointment, yet the debutants depart with valuable experience and moments to build on after a spirited campaign. The night, though, belonged emphatically to the Leopards and their slice of history.
The table: DR Congo advance, England next
DR Congo finished third in Group K on four points, advancing among the best thirds behind Colombia and Portugal; Uzbekistan exit at the bottom. The Leopards now face England in the Round of 32. Our forecast of under 2.5 goals missed in a four-goal contest, as DR Congo's spirited comeback opened the game up beyond the cautious script.
What we predicted before the match
🌍 FIFA World Cup · World
Congo DR – Uzbekistan Prediction and Betting Tips
Congo DR
LDLDW
vs
19:30
27 Jun · Sat
Uzbekistan
LLLLD
Kick-off: 19:30 local (27 Jun) · 23:30 UTCVenue: Mercedes-Benz StadiumReferee: F. Zwayer
Top forecast + 4 supporting tips
5 picks Top Pick
Total:Under: 2.5Under 2.5 goals60% confidence
1.84odds
Two sides short of attacking quality, one defending a slim hope, points to a tense, low-scoring decider under 2.5 goals.
Back this tip
Win 154%
DR Congo to win
1.69 odds
Total Team 2 Under: 1.564%
Uzbekistan under 1.5 goals
1.22 odds
Total Team 1 Over: 0.560%
DR Congo to score
1.18 odds
Total:Under: 2.058%
Under 2.0 goals
2.64 odds
DR Congo and Uzbekistan meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a Group K finale both must win to keep any hope alive, with both group fixtures kicking off at the same time.
DR Congo's survival mission
DR Congo sit on one point after a battling 1-1 draw with Portugal and a narrow 0-1 defeat to Colombia, a game in which their goalkeeper produced eight saves to keep them in it. Only a win — allied to a favourable result in the other Group K match — can keep them in the tournament. They have defended stoutly throughout but found goals hard to come by, and will need to strike a careful balance between ambition and discipline in Atlanta, knowing one mistake could end their campaign.
Uzbekistan out but free to play
Uzbekistan, debutants at the World Cup, are already eliminated after a 1-3 defeat to Colombia and a 0-5 hammering by Portugal, conceding eight across the two games. With nothing left to lose, they may play with greater freedom and ambition than the scoreline of their group suggests, but a side that has struggled both to score and to keep others out faces a DR Congo team desperate for the win their campaign demands, and unlikely to take risks.
Our forecast: a tight, low-scoring affair
With both sides short of goals and DR Congo wary of overcommitting, our forecast leans low: under 2.5 goals reads as the value angle. Around it, a DR Congo win reflects their need and home advantage, Uzbekistan are tipped to stay under 1.5, and DR Congo are backed to score.
Congo DR — recent matches
24 Jun 2026Colombia0 — 1L
17 Jun 2026Portugal1 — 1D
09 Jun 2026Chile1 — 2L
03 Jun 2026Denmark0 — 0D
31 Mar 2026Jamaica1 — 0W
Uzbekistan — recent matches
23 Jun 2026Portugal0 — 5L
18 Jun 2026Colombia1 — 3L
08 Jun 2026Netherlands1 — 2L
02 Jun 2026Canada0 — 2L
30 Mar 2026Venezuela0 — 0D
Key Players
Congo DR
Chancel MbembaCBLille · 80+ caps · Captain
Cédric BakambuSTReal Betis · 45+ caps · 19 G
Yoane WissaLWBrentford · 25+ caps
Théo BongondaRWSpartak Moscow · 30+ caps
Uzbekistan
Eldor ShomurodovSTRoma · 50+ caps · 24 G · Captain
Abbosbek FayzullaevAMCSKA Moscow · 25+ caps
Khusayin NorchaevSTRiga FC · 20+ caps
Otabek ShukurovCMSepahan · 40+ caps
Injuries
Congo DR
None reported
Uzbekistan
None reported
Venue · Context
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Capacity: 71,000
Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a roof that is expected to close against Georgia heat and humidity, giving fast, dry, climate-controlled conditions.
Congo DR
3–1
Uzbekistan
