DR Congo Fight Back to Beat Uzbekistan 3-1, Reach World Cup Knockout Stage for First Time

DR Congo reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history with a 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan on Saturday, setting up a round of 32 tie against England in Atlanta on Wednesday. 

Yoane Wissa scored twice, including a brilliant stoppage-time finish, with Fiston Mayele adding the decisive third after DR Congo had fallen behind early on. Uzbekistan are eliminated.

Uzbekistan took the lead through a costly defensive error. Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka miscommunicated and hesitated on a loose ball, allowing Eldor Shomurodov to nip in and dink a composed finish over the goalkeeper. Uzbekistan were the better side for long stretches of the first half and showed genuine attacking flair as they pressed for a second.

DR Congo were far from out of it though. They had a goal controversially ruled out for a foul in the build-up before Nathanael Mbuku fired an effort inside the near post that kept them in contention going into the break.

The second half belonged to DR Congo. They came out with renewed urgency and were handed a route back into the game when Wissa was clumsily tripped inside the box by Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov. Wissa picked himself up and stroked the penalty past the goalkeeper to level things up.

DR Congo then took the lead when Meschack Elia's shot deflected into the path of Mayele, who prodded home from close range. Wissa put the result beyond doubt deep in stoppage time, arrowing a precise effort inside the far post from the edge of the box to cap an impressive comeback.

DR Congo finish third in Group K and advance as one of the best third-placed teams. They face an England side that topped Group L with seven points, setting up what promises to be a fascinating last-32 tie in Atlanta.