With “golden” scorers Visa (68′ pen., 90’+1′) and Mayele (78′), the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 – with an upset – in the context of the 3rd matchday of the 2026 World Cup, finished in 3rd place in the 11th group and celebrated its qualification to the “32” phase as one of the 8 best third-placed teams in the groups.
At Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Fabio Cannavaro’s team opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a wonderful goal by Somurodov, who lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
In the 18th minute, Mbuku’s goal was disallowed for an offensive foul at the start of the phase, only for the Congolese to equalize in the 68th minute with a penalty by Visa. Congo pressed even harder for the winning goal and was ultimately vindicated in the final thanks to goals by Mayele and Visa, which sent their team to the “32” of the 2026 World Cup, in a historic moment for Africans.
Referee : Felix Zweier (Germany)
Yellow cards : 21′ Santiqi, 45’+5′ Ebuku, 62′ Mutousami – 43′ Kusanov, 48′ Nasrulaev
The lineups of the two teams:
CONGO (Sebastien Decabre): Embassi, Fan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Beba, Mazouakou (83′ Kayebe), Ebuku (72′ Elia), Mutousami (72′ Mukau), Sadiki, Sipenga (72′ Bongoda), Bakambu (51′ Mayele), Visa.
UZBEKISTAN (Fabio Cannavaro) : Nematov, Kusanov, Aliyonov, Ashurmatov, Nasrulaev, Urozov, Mozgovoy (82′ Iskanderov), Sukurov (59′ Kamrobekov), Kamdamov (59′ Ganiev), Fagzulaev (73′ Urunov), Somurodov.
