Congo Makes History with First Knockout Stage Qualification in World Cup

In a historic moment for Congolese soccer, the national team has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time ever. Following a thrilling 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, Congo showcased resilience and skill, with standout performances from Yoane Wissa and Fiston Mayele. This achievement marks only their second appearance in the tournament after a lengthy absence of 52 years. The team had previously stunned fans by drawing against Portugal, setting the stage for their remarkable comeback against Uzbekistan. Discover how Congo turned the game around and made history in this exciting match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 28, 2026, 09:07 IST

Congo's Historic World Cup Journey

Congo has made history by reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the very first time, achieving a remarkable 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday night.

This marks only the second appearance for the African nation in soccer's premier tournament, following a 52-year hiatus. The team's impressive performance included two second-half goals from Yoane Wissa and another from Fiston Mayele, allowing Congo to join Cape Verde as an unexpected qualifier for the round of 32.

Uzbekistan initially took the lead with a goal from Eldor Shomurodov in the first half, which seemed to dash Congo's hopes.

However, under the guidance of coach Sebastien Desabre, who had already led the team to a surprising 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in their opening match, Congo mounted a strong comeback after halftime.

After falling behind to Shomurodov's lob in the 10th minute, Congo equalized in the 68th minute when Wissa was fouled by Abdukodir Khusanov in the penalty area.

Wissa confidently converted the penalty, sending Uzbekistan's goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way and igniting a thrilling finish.

Ten minutes later, Mayele put Congo ahead by deftly flicking the ball past Nematov at the near post following a deflected shot from Meschack Elia.

Wissa sealed the victory in stoppage time with a beautifully curled shot into the bottom corner.