Uzbekistan looked on course for a famous victory after captain Eldor Shomurodov produced a moment of brilliance early in the match. Latching onto an excellent through ball from Abbosbek Fayzullaev, the striker calmly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to give his side a dream start.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically after the break as DR Congo mounted a superb comeback. Three second-half goals turned the contest on its head, sealing a memorable victory and securing the African nation's place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

World Cup 2026

DR Congo - Uzbekistan 3:1 (0:1)
Goals: Shomurodov, 10 (0:1); Wissa Y., 68 (penalty) (1:1); Mayele, 78 (2:1); Wissa Y., 90 (3:1)

DR Congo: Mpasi; Tuanzebe; Mbemba; Masuaku (Kayembe J., 83); Wan-Bissaka; Moutoussamy (Mukau, 72); Sadiki; Mbuku (Elia, 72); Cipenga Brian (Bongonda, 72); Bakambu (Mayele, 51); Wissa Y.
Substitution: Mayele (from 51); Mukau (from 72); Bongonda (from 72); Elia (from 72); Kayembe J. (from 83)
Bench: Fayulu; Epolo; Kapuadi; Batubinsika; Kalulu; Kayembe E.; Kakuta; Tshibola; Pickel; Banza
Yellow Cards: Sadiki 21; Mbuku 45; Moutoussamy 62

Uzbekistan: Nematov; Khusanov; Alizhonov; Ashurmatov; Nasrullaev; Urozov (Sergeev Ig., 82); Mozgovoy (Iskanderov, 82); Shukurov (Khamrobekov, 59); Khamdanov (Ganiev, 59); Fayzullayev (Urunov, 73); Shomurodov
Substitution: Khamrobekov (from 59); Ganiev (from 59); Urunov (from 73); Iskanderov (from 82); Sergeev Ig. (from 82)
Bench: Yusupov; Ergashev; Sayfiev; Eshmurodov; Karimov; Ulmasaliev; Abdullaev; Esanov; Jiyanov; Amonov
Yellow Cards: Khusanov 43; Nasrullaev 48