Wissa Brace Fires Congo DR Into Round of 32 as Uzbekistan Exit Winless

The Leopards Roar When It Matters Most

Yoane Wissa delivered a match-winning brace — including a decisive penalty — to carry Congo DR over the line in a tense Group K finale, securing their spot in the Round of 32 and condemning Uzbekistan to a winless group-stage exit with zero points from three matches.

Key Moment

Uzbekistan made a stunning opening when Eldor Shomurodov struck in the 10th minute, threatening to derail Congo DR's qualification hopes entirely. But the Leopards steadied. Wissa stepped up to convert a penalty in the 68th minute, leveling the tie at 1-1 and shifting momentum decisively. Ten minutes later, Fiston Kalala Mayele made it 2-1, and Wissa sealed the win with his second goal in the 90th minute — a clinical finish that sent Congo DR's supporters into raptures and eliminated any lingering doubt.

Discipline was a subplot throughout. Congo DR collected three yellows and Uzbekistan two, with cards flying on both sides of halftime. The card-heavy contest reflected the stakes — one side fighting for survival, the other for pride.

Context

Congo DR arrived in irregular form, with their group campaign showing the full spectrum of results — a draw, a loss, and now a crucial win. Uzbekistan, by contrast, entered this match having lost both of their opening group games and conceded eight goals in the process. A fighting start gave them a flicker of hope, but the structural quality gap proved too wide to bridge over 90 minutes.

This was the first-ever meeting between the two nations, making the head-to-head record both clean and clear: Congo DR, 1-0 all-time.

Betting Implications

Congo DR finish third in Group K on 4 points with a goal difference of +1 — sitting behind Colombia (7pts) and Portugal (5pts). Whether that third-place finish is enough to advance will hinge on how other groups shake out across the 12-team bracket, as the 8 best third-placed teams progress alongside the top two from each group. Uzbekistan crash out with no points and a -9 goal difference, one of the worst records of the tournament. Wissa's late-game composure and Mayele's growing influence make Congo DR a fascinating price if they squeeze through to the Round of 32.

Watch for their potential Round of 32 odds to sharpen quickly once the third-place standings are confirmed.

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