In the opening match of Group K at the 2026 World Cup, DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, giving themselves a strong start in their bid to advance from the group. A crowd of 68,239 watched a comeback that shifted from passive to dominant, with the final score closely matching how the match unfolded.
Match Result: A Comeback Built on a Slow Start
Uzbekistan made a perfect start in the first half. In the 10th minute, Akhmaral Mozgov crossed and Eldor Shomurodov finished with a low left-foot shot to put the visitors ahead 1-0. DR Congo kept applying pressure but struggled to break down the defense, while Uzbekistan had the edge in tackles and duels and went into the break with the lead.
The second half swung completely in favor of Sebastien Desabre’s side. In the 68th minute, Yoane Wissa won a penalty and converted it himself to level the score at 1-1. In the 78th minute, substitute Fiston Mayele scored the go-ahead goal. As Uzbekistan pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Meschak Elia crossed late and Wissa fired home in the 90th minute to seal a 3-1 win. Wissa scored twice as DR Congo turned their overall superiority into goals with a second-half surge.
Data and Tactics: Possession and Shooting Gap Shaped the Outcome
The statistics clearly reflected DR Congo’s dominance: 58% possession to 42%, 19 shots to 3, and expected goals (xG) of 2.35 to 0.20. DR Congo lined up in a 4-4-2, completing 487 passes at an 82% success rate, with 63 entries into the final third and 30 touches in the box. Under Fabio Cannavaro’s 3-4-2-1 system, Uzbekistan sat deep, managing only 3 shots and 1 on target, along with 38 clearances and 12 interceptions.
The shot distribution further illustrates the gap: 11 of DR Congo's 19 attempts came inside the box, yielding three big chances and converting two; Uzbekistan sat deep for long stretches and, though active in duels and aerial battles, produced very little in attack. In the second half, DR Congo improved its crossing efficiency, with a 47% long-ball success rate, and kept squeezing the opposition's space. Defender Abdukodir Khusanov made two errors that led to shots and conceded a penalty, becoming a key turning point in the visitors' collapse. Referee Felix Zwayer was relatively restrained with cards throughout, with both sides picking up several yellows.
Group Picture: Standings Context and Qualification Impact
Before this match, DR Congo were ranked 46th in the FIFA rankings (up two places from the previous edition, with 1,478.35 points), while Uzbekistan were 50th (also up two places, with 1,465.34 points). On paper the two sides were close, but the gap in execution in this game was clear. With a comeback win for all three points, DR Congo seized the initiative in Group K's opening round; Vissa's individual display—penalty plus late winner—made him the brightest star of the match.
For Uzbekistan, taking an early lead but failing to turn it into victory exposed a lack of control after going ahead. Cannavaro's side will need to cut down defensive errors in the remaining group games and find a second attacking outlet beyond Shomurodov. The race in Group K is still open, but DR Congo took a solid step toward qualification with a substantive, data-backed win, while Uzbekistan must quickly reset both mindset and tactical approach in the next round.
