DR Congo Beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to End World Cup 2026 Group K on a High
DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final Group K match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record. As of June 28, 2026, that result stands as the Leopards' most emphatic scoreline of the group stage — a commanding finish after two tighter contests against Portugal and Colombia.
Coach S (as of June 28, 2026). Desabre's squad arrived at this tournament with something to prove. They leave Group K having proven at least part of it.
The Group K Arc
DR Congo's three group-stage results tell a clear story of a team growing into the tournament Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record (as of June 28, 2026).
- Matchday 1 — Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (June 17, NRG Stadium, Houston): A hard-earned point against one of the tournament favorites. Holding Portugal to a draw was a statement.
- Matchday 2 — Colombia 1, DR Congo 0 (June 23, Estadio Akron, Zapopan): A narrow loss. One goal the difference against a strong South American side.
- Matchday 3 — DR Congo 3, Uzbekistan 1 (June 27, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta): The Leopards found their finishing boots. Three goals — more than they managed in the first two games combined.
That trajectory matters. Draw, loss, win. Each match sharper than the last. By the final whistle in Atlanta, this looked like a team that had finally settled into tournament football.
What the 3-1 Win Showed
This was DR Congo's best attacking display of the group stage Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record. Three goals in a single World Cup match is a milestone for a nation competing in only its second-ever World Cup finals appearance.
The Leopards' overall recent form heading into the tournament was strong: 11 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses across their last 21 matches, scoring 27 and conceding 15. That goal difference — plus-12 — suggested a squad capable of competing. And against Uzbekistan, they showed it (as of June 28, 2026).
The Squad That Delivered
Desabre named a 26-player squad on May 18, 2026, drawing from clubs across Europe and Africa Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record. The blend of top-flight European experience with African-based core players gave DR Congo tactical flexibility across the group stage.
A few players shaped this campaign more than others:
- C. Mbemba (Lille) — 780 NT minutes over the last 12 months. He was present for every second of the qualifying and tournament buildup. A defensive anchor.
- A. Wan-Bissaka (West Ham) — 685 NT minutes across 8 appearances. Premier League-caliber defending on the World Cup stage (as of June 28, 2026).
- A. Tuanzebe (Burnley) — 690 NT minutes, 1 goal in 8 appearances. Contributed at both ends (as of June 28, 2026).
- S. Moutoussamy (Atromitos) — 653 NT minutes in midfield across 8 appearances. Quietly consistent (as of June 28, 2026).
- C. Bakambu (Real Betis) — 546 NT minutes, 1 goal in 8 appearances. La Liga pedigree in the attack (as of June 28, 2026).
- G. Kakuta (Larisa) — Only 157 NT minutes across 3 caps, but 2 goals and 1 assist in that span. Efficient when called upon (as of June 28, 2026).
- F. Mayele (Pyramids FC) — 10 goals in 36 club appearances over the last 12 months. That club scoring form made him a weapon off the bench (as of June 28, 2026).
Goalkeeper L. Mpasi, with 780 NT minutes — every minute of the last 9 appearances — was the most ever-present player in the squad. He faced Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan without missing a second (as of June 28, 2026).
Group K Final Picture
Group K was always going to be brutal. Portugal and Colombia were seeded above DR Congo. Uzbekistan, making their own World Cup debut, were the other outsiders.
The final Group K fixtures on June 27:
- DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Colombia vs Portugal — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
DR Congo did their part. The 3-1 win was emphatic. Whether it was enough to advance depended on the Colombia-Portugal result and the final group arithmetic (as of June 28, 2026).
A Campaign to Build On
Regardless of the final standings, this World Cup was a marker for Congolese football. A draw against Portugal. A one-goal loss to Colombia — not a collapse, not an embarrassment, a competitive match decided by fine margins. And then a 3-1 dismantling of Uzbekistan to close it out.
Desabre's squad showed they belong at this level. The European spine — Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Wissa at Newcastle, Mukau at Lille — gives this team a foundation that can compete in any confederation's qualifying cycle. The next step is sustaining it.
When did DR Congo play their Group K matches?
DR Congo played three Group K matches: against Portugal on June 17 at NRG Stadium in Houston, against Colombia on June 23 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, and against Uzbekistan on June 27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record.
What were DR Congo's results in Group K?
DR Congo drew 1-1 with Portugal, lost 0-1 to Colombia, and beat Uzbekistan 3-1 Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record. The win over Uzbekistan was their largest margin of victory across the three group-stage matches.
Who were the key players in DR Congo's World Cup 2026 squad?
C. Mbemba and L. Mpasi each logged 780 NT minutes over the last 12 months, making them the most consistent presences in the squad. A. Wan-Bissaka contributed 685 NT minutes across 8 appearances, while G. Kakuta offered attacking efficiency with 2 goals and 1 assist in just 157 NT minutes Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record (as of June 28, 2026).
How many players were in the DR Congo World Cup squad?
Coach S. Desabre named a 26-player squad on May 18, 2026 Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record. The roster featured players from clubs across France, England, Spain, Türkiye, Belgium, Poland, Greece, and DR Congo itself.
What is the significance of the Uzbekistan result for DR Congo?
The 3-1 victory was DR Congo's most emphatic result of the entire Group K campaign Match centre vs Uzbekistan — official record. It demonstrated the squad's attacking capability after two tighter matches and underlined the depth of talent available to Desabre heading into any potential knockout stage or future tournaments.