World Cup: DR Congo end 52-year wait with historic win, set up England clash in last 32
FIFA World Cup: DR Congo booked a historic place in the knockout stage and set up a round-of-32 clash with England after producing a stirring comeback from a goal down to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on Saturday.
DR Congo ended a 52-year wait for a World Cup victory by coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on Saturday, sealing a historic place in the knockout stage for the first time and setting up a last-32 meeting with England.**
Playing in the World Cup for only the second time and making their first appearance since competing as Zaire in 1974, the Leopards recovered from an early setback with three second-half goals. Yoane Wissa scored twice, while Fiston Mayele also found the net as Sbastien Desabre's side completed another memorable result after holding Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stage.
Uzbekistan, appearing at the World Cup for the first time, made an enterprising start and took the lead in the 10th minute through captain Eldor Shomurodov. The striker finished a flowing move with a delicate lob over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi after being picked out by Abbosbek Fayzullaev.
DR Congo thought they had levelled seven minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired into the net, but the goal was ruled out after he was penalised for a foul on Sherzod Nasrullaev in the build-up.
The African side enjoyed more of the ball after the break but found it difficult to break down Uzbekistan's disciplined defence until the contest turned in the 68th minute.
Wissa was brought down inside the penalty area by Abdukodir Khusanov and calmly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way to restore parity.
With the momentum now firmly in their favour, DR Congo completed the turnaround 10 minutes later. Meschack Elia kept the attack alive before Mayele reacted quickest to steer the ball beyond Nematov from close range.
Wissa wrapped up the victory in stoppage time, curling a superb finish into the bottom corner after Elia once again played a key role in the build-up, sparking jubilant celebrations among the DR Congo players and supporters.
The result secured DR Congo's place in the knockout stage with four points from three matches, capping a remarkable return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.
England, who topped Group L, now await the Leopards in the round of 32, while Uzbekistan's maiden World Cup campaign ended without a point after three defeats.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
DR Congo ended a 52-year wait for a World Cup victory by coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on Saturday, sealing a historic place in the knockout stage for the first time and setting up a last-32 meeting with England.**
Playing in the World Cup for only the second time and making their first appearance since competing as Zaire in 1974, the Leopards recovered from an early setback with three second-half goals. Yoane Wissa scored twice, while Fiston Mayele also found the net as Sbastien Desabre's side completed another memorable result after holding Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stage.
Uzbekistan, appearing at the World Cup for the first time, made an enterprising start and took the lead in the 10th minute through captain Eldor Shomurodov. The striker finished a flowing move with a delicate lob over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi after being picked out by Abbosbek Fayzullaev.
DR Congo thought they had levelled seven minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired into the net, but the goal was ruled out after he was penalised for a foul on Sherzod Nasrullaev in the build-up.
The African side enjoyed more of the ball after the break but found it difficult to break down Uzbekistan's disciplined defence until the contest turned in the 68th minute.
Wissa was brought down inside the penalty area by Abdukodir Khusanov and calmly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way to restore parity.
With the momentum now firmly in their favour, DR Congo completed the turnaround 10 minutes later. Meschack Elia kept the attack alive before Mayele reacted quickest to steer the ball beyond Nematov from close range.
Wissa wrapped up the victory in stoppage time, curling a superb finish into the bottom corner after Elia once again played a key role in the build-up, sparking jubilant celebrations among the DR Congo players and supporters.
The result secured DR Congo's place in the knockout stage with four points from three matches, capping a remarkable return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.
England, who topped Group L, now await the Leopards in the round of 32, while Uzbekistan's maiden World Cup campaign ended without a point after three defeats.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
