The Democratic Republic of Congo has qualified for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup as a surprise team. With a 3-1 (0-1) win against Uzbekistan on the final matchday of Group K, the team secured its first-ever place in the knockout stage. The game in front of 68,000 spectators in Atlanta started furiously: striker Eldor Shomurodov scored a dream goal in the tenth minute to give Uzbekistan an early lead.
Yoane Wissa equalized from a penalty in the 68th minute, and substitute Fiston Mayele put Congo ahead in the 78th minute. Wissa sealed the win with his second goal in stoppage time (90+1). As group runners-up, DR Congo will face England in Atlanta next Wednesday. Uzbekistan leaves the tournament pointless as group’s last-place team.
In Group J, Austria and Algeria secured knockout-stage berths with a wild 3-3 draw. Marko Arnautović and Marcel Sabitzer put Austria ahead twice, but Algeria equalized each time. In the closing stages, Riyad Mahrez scored to make it 3-2 for Algeria (90+3), before Saša Kalajdžić rescued Austria with a 3-3 equalizer in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Austria, as group runners-up, will face Spain, while Algeria, as one of the best third-placed teams, will meet Switzerland.
Argentina remained flawless even with a B-team, beating Jordan 3-1. Lionel Messi scored his 19th World Cup goal from a free kick. Argentina will face Cape Verde in the round of 16.
Source: www.zeit.de
