DR Congo Fight Back To Beat Uzbekistan, Set Up World Cup Last-32 Showdown With England

DR Congo produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 and book a place in the FIFA World Cup last 32 for the first time in their history, setting up a mouth-watering clash with England.

Needing victory to keep their knockout hopes alive, the Leopards recovered from an early setback with a clinical display after the interval to finish third in Group K and secure a meeting with England in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Uzbekistan made the brighter start and deservedly took the lead through captain Eldor Shomurodov, who capitalised on a defensive misunderstanding between Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The pair hesitated over a loose ball, allowing Shomurodov to race through before delicately lifting his finish over the advancing goalkeeper.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, Uzbekistan dominated much of the opening half with confident attacking football and looked the more likely side to increase their advantage.

However, DR Congo threatened sporadically and were left frustrated when a goal was ruled out following a foul earlier in the build-up. Nathanael Mbuku also came close with a fierce strike that flashed inside the near post, offering a glimpse of the fight to come.

The Congolese emerged after the restart with renewed purpose, pressing higher and forcing Uzbekistan onto the back foot.

Their persistence paid off when Yoane Wissa was brought down inside the penalty area by Abdukodir Khusanov. Wissa picked himself up and calmly sent goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way from the spot to level the contest.

The equaliser transformed the momentum, with DR Congo taking control of the match.

Their pressure was rewarded again when Fiston Mayele reacted quickest to a deflected effort from Meschack Elia, stabbing the loose ball home from close range to complete the turnaround.

As Uzbekistan pushed forward in search of an equaliser, spaces opened up at the other end, and DR Congo capitalised in stoppage time. Wissa crowned an outstanding individual performance by drilling a superb effort into the far corner from the edge of the area to seal an emphatic victory.

The 3-1 triumph sends DR Congo into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, where they will face England in the last 32 on Wednesday in Atlanta, with a place in the round of 16 at stake.