LIVE UPDATES: D.R Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 – Follow all the action, goals and celebrations

A thrilling comeback from Congo DR to secure a spot in the knockouts! 🇨🇩#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2026

90+9’ FULL-TIME! Felix Zwayer brings the match to an end as D.R. Congo complete a stunning comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their decisive Group K clash.

90’ GOAL FOR D.R. CONGO! Yoane Wissa puts the result beyond doubt with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box after being picked out brilliantly by Meschack Elia. The shot rockets into the bottom right corner to make it 3-1.

78’ GOAL FOR D.R. CONGO! Meschack Elia’s effort takes a crucial deflection off Fiston Mayele and loops beyond the goalkeeper as D.R. Congo turn the game around to lead 2-1.

68’ GOAL FOR D.R. CONGO! Yoane Wissa steps up confidently and buries the penalty into the bottom right corner, leaving Abduvakhid Nematov with no chance as the Leopards level the score at 1-1.

66’ PENALTY TO D.R. CONGO! Felix Zwayer points straight to the spot after ruling that Abdukodir Khusanov caught his opponent’s legs instead of the ball inside the area.

48’ Sherzod Nasrullaev goes into the referee’s book after a reckless challenge early in the second half.

46’ The second half is underway with both teams still fighting to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

45+8’ HALF-TIME! Uzbekistan head into the break with a narrow advantage after a tense and dramatic opening half.

45’ Nathanael Mbuku is shown a yellow card after bringing down his opponent late.

43’ Abdukodir Khusanov becomes the latest player booked after hauling down an opponent in midfield.

21’ Noah Sadiki receives a yellow card for a blatant foul as frustrations begin to grow for D.R. Congo.

19’ NO GOAL! After a lengthy VAR review, D.R. Congo’s equaliser is ruled out for a foul in the build-up, much to the anger of the players.

18’ VAR DRAMA! The referee signals for a review after concerns over a possible foul before D.R. Congo’s goal.

17’ D.R. CONGO THINK THEY HAVE EQUALISED! Brian Cipenga slips a clever pass into Nathanael Mbuku, who cuts inside brilliantly before curling a sensational strike into the left side of the net. The score is initially 1-1 before VAR intervenes.

10’ GOAL FOR UZBEKISTAN! Eldor Shomurodov finally gets his goal after earlier frustration, calmly slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper to hand Uzbekistan a crucial 1-0 lead in Atlanta.

8’ Brian Cipenga attempts to release his teammate with a through ball into the penalty area, but the pass is slightly overhit and Abduvakhid Nematov comes off his line quickly to gather.

4’ Nathanael Mbuku is penalised for a foul after catching his opponent late, and referee Felix Zwayer awards Uzbekistan a free kick.

2’ Yoane Wissa tries his luck from long range for D.R. Congo, but the effort drifts comfortably wide of the right post without troubling the goalkeeper.

1’ Uzbekistan have the ball in the net again through Eldor Shomurodov, but the celebrations are cut short as the flag goes up for offside.

1’ Huge early chance for Uzbekistan! Dostonbek Khamdamov controls a brilliant lofted pass inside the area before firing towards goal, but Lionel Mpasi-Nzau produces a superb save to keep D.R. Congo level.

1’ The match is underway in Atlanta as Uzbekistan kick off this decisive Group K encounter against D.R. Congo.

Felix Zwayer is the referee for today’s World Cup 2026 clash.

Stay with Africasoccer for live updates, goals, major incidents and post-match reaction from this crucial World Cup 2026 showdown.

This will be the first competitive meeting between DR Congo and Uzbekistan, adding another layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes encounter in Atlanta.

First-Ever Meeting

Their damaging goal difference means only a huge victory would realistically keep their qualification hopes alive. The White Wolves also enter the game on a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, and another defensive collapse could see them make unwanted World Cup history. Uzbekistan risk becoming the first tournament debutants since New Zealand in 1982 to concede three or more goals in every group-stage match.

For Uzbekistan, the tournament has turned into a difficult learning experience during their first FIFA World Cup appearance as an independent nation. Fabio Cannavaro’s men have endured heavy defeats against Colombia and Portugal, conceding eight goals across those two matches.

Despite their difficult position, DR Congo are still viewed as favourites heading into the contest, although their attacking struggles remain a concern after managing only one goal so far in the competition.

That leaves the Leopards with just one point from two matches and needing all three points tonight to stand any chance of advancing from Group K.

However, Sébastien Desabre’s side were unable to build momentum in their second outing after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.

DR Congo stunned many observers when they opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal, a result that briefly raised hopes of a historic run at the tournament.

Match Preview

Both nations head into tonight’s encounter in Atlanta knowing only victory can keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive, setting up a tense and decisive battle at the global showpiece.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup meeting between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan in the final round of Group K fixtures.