ARLINGTON, TX — In a stunning display of physical power, tactical adjustments, and second-half brilliance, DR Congo kept their knockout stage hopes alive with a commanding 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan in their crucial Group K encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Played under the iconic retractable roof of a packed Dallas Stadium in Texas, a spectacular brace from Brentford forward Yoane Wissa completely dismantled the Uzbek defense, securing three massive points for "The Leopards."
The victory completely shakes up the qualification race in Group K. Despite a brilliant opening goal from Eldor Shomurodov that put the Asian nation ahead early, Uzbekistan could not withstand the relentless physical pressing of the African giants in the final thirty minutes of regulation time. DR Congo now moves into third place in the group standings, keeping the pressure on the group leaders, while Uzbekistan remains pinned to the bottom after a heartbreaking collapse.
Shomurodov Silences Dallas with Early Masterclass
The match opened with unexpected drama as Uzbekistan completely ignored their underdog status to push numbers forward right from the kickoff. Utilizing a fluid, short-passing system through the central midfield channel, the Uzbek squad found immediate success in bypassing DR Congo's initial pressing lines. The aggressive tactical approach paid off handsomely just 10 minutes into the first half.
Capitalizing on a swift transitional error by the Congolese backline, Uzbekistan's star striker and captain Eldor Shomurodov timed his attacking run to perfection. Receiving a clean through-ball from Otabek Shukurov, Shomurodov calmly slotted a low, clinical strike past the outstretched arms of the oncoming goalkeeper, silencing the arena and handing Uzbekistan a shocking early lead.
- Goal: Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan) – 10th minute
- Match Score: DR Congo 0, Uzbekistan 1
Following the opening blow, Uzbekistan dropped deep into a highly disciplined 5-3-2 defensive shell, entirely frustrating the Congolese attackers and protecting their slim one-goal advantage successfully until the halftime whistle blew.
Wissa and Mayele Direct the Second-Half Avalanche
The second half witnessed a complete tactical transformation from DR Congo. Head coach Sébastien Desabre made crucial structural changes at the interval, instructing his wingers to exploit the half-spaces and ordering the midfield to transition the ball faster to bypass the Uzbek low-block defense. The physical superiority of the African squad began to completely wear down the exhausted Uzbek players.
The long-awaited breakthrough finally arrived in the 68th minute. DR Congo's relentless overlapping wing play forced a chaotic handball violation inside the eighteen-yard box. The referee pointed straight to the penalty spot without hesitation. Forward Yoane Wissa stepped up under immense pressure and confidently smashed a powerhouse penalty past the keeper to draw the Leopards level.
- Goal: Yoane Wissa (DR Congo, Penalty) – 68th minute
- Match Score: DR Congo 1, Uzbekistan 1
The equalizer completely broke Uzbekistan's defensive resolve, and DR Congo capitalized ruthlessly on the psychological momentum. In the 78th minute, substitute forward Fiston Mayele produced an absolute moment of magic. Snapping up a loose cross from the flank, Mayele controlled the ball beautifully with his chest before striking a ferocious, first-time volley into the roof of the net, handing DR Congo a well-deserved lead.
- Goal: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo) – 78th minute
- Match Score: DR Congo 2, Uzbekistan 1
Stoppage-Time Punctuation: Wissa Bags His Brace
Faced with a devastating defeat, Uzbekistan abandoned all defensive structure in the final ten minutes, throwing everyone forward in a desperate search for an equalizer. The referee added a hefty five minutes of stoppage time due to multiple physical treatment breaks.
With literally seconds left on the clock in the 90+1st minute, DR Congo launched a lethal counter-attack against a completely exposed Uzbek backline. Yoane Wissa used his blistering pace to break cleanly through the central channel, receiving a pinpoint pass from Samuel Moutoussamy. Wissa kept his absolute cool, chipping the ball elegantly over the oncoming goalkeeper to bag his magnificent individual brace and seal the historic 3-1 victory.
- Goal: Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) – 90+1' minute
- Final Score: DR Congo 3, Uzbekistan 1
Comprehensive Match Statistics
The post-match technical data from Dallas outlines DR Congo's absolute territorial dominance during the second-half avalanche, leaving Uzbekistan chasing shadows until the final whistle.
| Match Stat Category | DR Congo | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Ball Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Total Shots Taken | 15 | 7 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 2 |
| Pass Accuracy | 86% | 76% |
| Total Passes Completed | 492 | 310 |
| Corner Kicks Won | 8 | 3 |
| Fouls Committed | 11 | 16 |
| Yellow Cards Issued | 1 | 3 |