DR Congo Celebrates Historic FIFA World Cup Victory Over Uzbekistan

A Historic Win for DR Congo

For over five decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been haunted by a devastating 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia during its only previous FIFA World Cup appearance. However, on Sunday, the team turned the page on that painful chapter by securing a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan, marking their first-ever win in World Cup history and advancing to the Round of 32. They are set to face England in the knockout stage on July 1.

Following this monumental achievement, Yoane Wissa, who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League, shared insights into the challenges faced by his nation and the importance of this victory. "Life is tough in our country. There’s ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, and every time we don our jerseys, we think of those affected. This win is a message that we must persevere," Wissa expressed in a post-match interview. He added, "We strive for peace, and I want to thank our supporters. We have come a long way from nothing to this moment. We are now writing our own story, and we must take pride in it."

The match began with Eldor Shomurodov scoring for Uzbekistan, giving them an early lead. However, Wissa equalized from the penalty spot, followed by a goal from Fiston Mayele that ignited excitement among the Congolese fans. Wissa capped off a remarkable evening with a stunning goal in stoppage time, marking his third goal of the tournament.

DR Congo's journey in this World Cup has been nothing short of inspiring. Against all odds, they managed to draw 1-1 with Portugal, the 2016 Euro Cup champions, with Wissa scoring just before halftime. Despite a narrow 1-0 loss to Colombia, they secured their place in the Round of 32 by defeating Uzbekistan.

Wissa's Journey to Stardom

Wissa's three goals have elevated him to a hero in DR Congo, but his path has been fraught with challenges. Born in France to Congolese parents, he initially pursued a career as a goalkeeper, balancing academics and sports under his father's guidance. His journey through the French football leagues eventually led him to professional status.

However, four years ago, Wissa faced a life-threatening incident. In August 2021, just before a significant transfer, he was attacked by a woman posing as a fan, who threw acid at him, resulting in severe facial injuries and jeopardizing his eyesight. After a lengthy recovery, he returned to the pitch stronger than ever, completing a £55 million transfer to Newcastle in September 2025.

Now, Wissa is not only rewriting his own story but also making history for DR Congo on the grandest stage of football—the FIFA World Cup.