World Cup
DR Congo Turn Attention to England Test After Historic World Cup Breakthrough
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said his side would waste no time celebrating their historic World Cup breakthrough as preparations begin immediately for a daunting Round of 32 clash against England.
The Congolese secured their place in the knockout stages with a spirited 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday, finishing among the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams and earning a meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Fresh from guiding DR Congo to their first-ever World Cup victory, Desabre praised his players for their resilience and unity before turning his attention to one of football’s traditional powers.
“We’ll start work immediately on preparing. We’ve got a few players in the squad who play at clubs in the English league, so they will help us, but we’ll prepare in the best way we can for what is going to be a very big match for us,” Desabre told reporters.
The victory was spearheaded by Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, who struck twice as DR Congo recovered from an early setback to claim all three points and keep their World Cup dream alive.
Desabre interrupted the opening moments of his post-match press conference to salute his players, many of whom have been together throughout his four-year tenure.
“Before answering, I’d like to congratulate my players for their work. It’s a squad that’s been together for four years, and we have always kept on believing,” he said.
“The win means a lot to the country, and the victory was quite wonderful. It’s very positive, and we showed a good image of Congo.”
DR Congo endured a difficult opening to the match, conceding after only 10 minutes as Uzbekistan took advantage of space in midfield. But Desabre insisted he remained calm, confident that his pre-match planning would eventually tilt the contest in his team’s favour.
“Of course, you are never sure of winning, but what is clear is that we made a mistake in giving them too much space early on,” he explained.
“But since the start of this World Cup, we’ve planned to use players in this match who did not get to play in the first two games against Portugal and Colombia.
“To have fresh players provided us with an advantage, and it was quite logical that we should go on and win.”
The victory has sparked excitement across the Central African nation, but an even greater challenge now awaits against an England side that topped Group L and entered the knockout rounds among the tournament favourites.
Yet DR Congo will take encouragement from Africa’s growing record against elite opposition at the World Cup and from England’s mixed history against teams from the continent.
England’s World Cup encounters with African nations have often been more difficult than expected. Their first such meeting came in 1986 when they defeated Morocco 1-0 in the round of 16. Four years later they edged Cameroon 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic quarter-final in Italy.
Since then, England have frequently struggled to impose themselves against African opposition. They were held 0-0 by Nigeria in the group stage in 2002, drew 2-2 with Sweden-based Tunisia? No, they beat Tunisia 2-0 in 1998, before later overcoming Tunisia 2-1 in their 2018 opener through a stoppage-time Harry Kane winner.
England were also frustrated by Algeria in a goalless draw at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, one of the most disappointing performances of their campaign.
Overall, England have rarely lost to African opponents at the World Cup but have often found them stubborn and difficult to break down. Their record includes victories over Morocco, Cameroon and Tunisia, alongside draws against Nigeria and Algeria.
For DR Congo, Wednesday’s contest represents an opportunity to create another landmark moment in the nation’s football history. Victory would make them one of the few African nations to eliminate England from a major tournament and would further underline the continent’s growing influence on the world stage.
For England, meanwhile, the challenge will be avoiding the complacency that has troubled several traditional powers at this expanded World Cup as they seek to prevent DR Congo’s remarkable journey from continuing into the last 16.
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Yoane Wissa scored twice as the Democratic Republic of Congo fought back from a halftime deficit to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday, securing a historic first World Cup victory and a place in the knockout stage after a dramatic comeback in Atlanta.
Wissa converted a second-half penalty before substitute Fiston Mayele put the Congolese ahead, with the Newcastle United striker adding a third goal deep into stoppage time to seal victory and spark wild celebrations among his teammates.
The win ensured DR Congo finished third in Group K behind Colombia and Portugal and booked a Round of 32 clash against England on Wednesday.
It marked a landmark moment for the Congolese, who are appearing at the World Cup for the first time since their ill-fated debut in 1974 and had never previously won a match at the tournament.
For Uzbekistan, meanwhile, the defeat completed a disappointing campaign on their World Cup debut, leaving them bottom of the group after three consecutive losses despite leading for much of the contest.
The Uzbeks looked dangerous from the outset and thought they had taken the lead inside 30 seconds when Dostonbek Khamdamov’s effort was parried into the path of captain Eldor Shomurodov, who finished the rebound. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Shomurodov would not be denied for long. In the 10th minute, Abbosbek Fayzullaev flicked on a long pass and the striker raced clear of Aaron Wan-Bissaka before cleverly lobbing goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi from a tight angle to give Uzbekistan a deserved lead.
DR Congo believed they had equalised seven minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku blasted home after good work from Brian Cipenga on the left flank. But after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed because Mbuku’s trailing hand had struck defender Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face during the build-up.
The Congolese dominated possession after the break but struggled to convert their chances as frustration mounted.
Their breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when Abdukodir Khusanov brought down Wissa inside the penalty area. The striker, who has endured an injury-hit season at club level, calmly sent goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way from the spot to level the score.
The equaliser transformed DR Congo’s momentum, and they completed the turnaround nine minutes later. Meschack Elia’s blocked effort looped invitingly into the area, allowing substitute Mayele to react quickest and delicately lift the ball over Nematov for a 2-1 lead.
Uzbekistan pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Wissa delivered the final blow one minute into stoppage time. Given space to cut across the edge of the penalty area, he fired a low shot into the corner before sprinting the length of the pitch in celebration as teammates chased after him.
The victory extends DR Congo’s World Cup adventure and sets up an enticing meeting with England, while Uzbekistan head home still searching for their first point on football’s biggest stage.
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Harry Kane etched his name deeper into England football history on Saturday, becoming the nation’s all-time leading scorer at FIFA World Cups as the Three Lions secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama.
The England captain scored his 11th World Cup goal to surpass the record of 10 set by Gary Lineker at the 1990 tournament in Italy, ending a mark that had stood for 36 years.
Kane had drawn level with Lineker during England’s opening victory over Croatia but moved into sole possession of the record with a trademark header at New York New Jersey Stadium, converting a pinpoint assist from Jude Bellingham.
The goal sparked celebrations among England’s supporters and provided another landmark achievement for a striker whose international career is already packed with records and milestones.
Bellingham, who created the historic goal, was lavish in his praise of the Bayern Munich forward after the match.
“It’s an honour to play with him. For me he’s the best England player of all time,” Bellingham said.
“He’s the one who has showed up more than anyone, any England player. It’s quite easy to play with him. In all honesty he’s at a level at the minute which is just incredible.
“You don’t doubt him at all in terms of whether he’s involved or not. You know he’s going to make a difference.”
The record-breaking strike underlined Kane’s enduring importance to England’s ambitions at the tournament. Since making his World Cup debut in Russia in 2018, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer, the striker has consistently delivered on football’s biggest stage.
His latest achievement came as England completed an unbeaten group campaign, finishing first in Group L and strengthening hopes that they can mount a serious challenge for a first World Cup title since 1966.
Manager and teammates alike have repeatedly highlighted Kane’s leadership and ability to produce decisive moments, qualities that were again evident against Panama.
With the group phase now complete, England turn their attention to the knockout rounds, where they will face one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams in Wednesday’s Round of 32 encounter.
For Kane, however, Saturday’s victory carried extra significance. By overtaking Lineker, one of England’s greatest forwards, the 32-year-old added another remarkable chapter to a career that has already established him among the country’s footballing legends.
And with the knockout stages still to come, England’s record World Cup marksman may not be finished rewriting the history books just yet.
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Colombia and Portugal served up one of the most entertaining scoreless matches of the FIFA World Cup on Saturday, playing out a pulsating 0-0 draw before 64,478 spectators at Miami Stadium as both sides advanced to the Round of 32 from Group K.
While the result ensured qualification for both teams, Colombia emerged as group winners and will face Ghana in Kansas City on Friday, while runners-up Portugal travel to Toronto for a knockout clash against Croatia on Thursday.
Despite the absence of goals, the match was packed with chances, drama and attacking football, with Colombia left to lament a series of missed opportunities after dominating large stretches against the European side.
Driven on by a sea of yellow-clad supporters whose deafening chants reverberated around the stadium, Colombia almost made a dream start when Jhon Cordoba headed over the crossbar in the opening minute.
The South Americans repeatedly threatened through the lively Jhon Arias, whose pace and direct running unsettled Portugal’s defence throughout the contest.
Arias released Cordoba in the 17th minute and the striker unleashed a powerful effort that goalkeeper Diogo Costa did well to parry away. Five minutes later, Arias nearly opened the scoring himself after a flowing Colombian move, only for Ruben Neves to clear his goal-bound shot off the line.
Portugal struggled to gain a foothold early on but gradually grew into the contest as Colombia occasionally failed to clear their lines convincingly.
Their best opportunities came late in the first half. Bruno Fernandes found himself unmarked in front of goal in the 39th minute, but Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas produced a superb reflex save to deny him from close range.
Joao Felix then showcased his skill moments before halftime, chesting the ball over a defender before sending an acrobatic volley narrowly over the bar.
Colombia resumed their attacking intent after the break, continuing to create the better openings. Gustavo Puerta and veteran playmaker James Rodriguez both tested Costa, while substitute Richard Rios fired wide after being set up by the influential Arias.
Arias himself forced another smart save from Costa before Puerta dragged a promising effort wide as Colombia searched relentlessly for the breakthrough.
Rodriguez saw a volley deflected away from goal in the 73rd minute shortly before he and Arias were withdrawn, but the South Americans maintained their momentum.
The closest either side came to a winner arrived in the 89th minute when defender Davinson Sanchez headed home at the far post. Colombian celebrations were cut short, however, after a VAR review ruled the goal out for a marginal offside.
Portugal nearly snatched victory deep into stoppage time when Rafael Leao’s low shot flashed across the face of goal, but neither side could find the decisive touch.
For Portugal, the draw highlighted lingering questions despite qualification. Cristiano Ronaldo, relentlessly booed by Colombian fans whenever he touched the ball, endured a frustrating evening. Starved of service, the veteran forward managed only a speculative long-range free kick that was comfortably gathered by Vargas.
The result leaves Colombia full of confidence after topping the group with an impressive display against one of Europe’s traditional powers, while Portugal advance knowing improvements will be needed if they are to mount a serious challenge for the title.
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