DR Congo secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group H match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played at the Al Bayt Stadium. The win puts DR Congo in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages.
First Half Dominance
DR Congo took control early, with Dieumerci Mbokani opening the scoring in the 23rd minute. The striker latched onto a through ball from Yannick Bolasie and slotted past the Uzbek goalkeeper. Cédric Bakambu doubled the lead just before halftime, heading in a cross from Arthur Masuaku in the 44th minute.
Uzbekistan's Fightback
Uzbekistan struggled to create clear chances in the first half but improved after the break. Eldor Shomurodov pulled one back in the 78th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box. Despite late pressure, DR Congo held on for the win.
Key Statistics
DR Congo had 12 shots, with 5 on target, while Uzbekistan managed 9 shots, 3 on target. DR Congo's possession was 48% to Uzbekistan's 52%. The victory moves DR Congo to 4 points in Group H, while Uzbekistan remains on 1 point.
Manager Reactions
DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre praised his team's resilience: "We knew Uzbekistan would fight back, but we showed character to secure the three points. This win is vital for our World Cup campaign." Uzbekistan coach Srečko Katanec expressed disappointment: "We gave away two soft goals and couldn't recover. We must learn from this and focus on our next match."
Group H Implications
With this result, DR Congo is second in Group H behind Portugal, who beat South Korea earlier. Uzbekistan faces an uphill battle to qualify, needing a win in their final group match against Portugal. DR Congo will face South Korea in their final group game.
