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Yoane Wissa double fires DR Congo past Uzbekistan into World Cup last 32
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- Yoane Wissa double fires DR Congo past Uzbekistan into World Cup last 32
Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and progress to the round of 32 of the World Cup.
The African nation, who returned to the tournament after a 52-year absence, will now face England in the knockout stage on Wednesday after finishing third in Group K.
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Uzbekistan's Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring in the 10th minute in Atlanta, converting from a tight angle after an Abbosbek Fayzullaev header into the box.
DR Congo thought they had levelled minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired in a left-footed shot.
However, the goal was disallowed after a review, with the referee ruling that Mbuku had caught Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face with a flailing arm in the build-up.
DR Congo eventually levelled in the second half, when Newcastle United striker Wissa sent the Uzbekistan goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.
They took the lead in the 68th minute when Fiston Mayele flicked the ball over the line before the goalkeeper could stop him.
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Wissa sealed progression with a strike from the edge of the box into the bottom-right corner, completing DR Congo's comeback win.
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre told Fifa.com: "We have to congratulate the players — they were the ones who were extraordinary.
"We're a team that knows how to respond when we concede a goal; we keep fighting with determination."
Uzbekistan boss Fabio Cannavaro also paid tribute to his team's efforts.
"The first half we did an amazing performance, we prepared the game in this way. I knew we spent a lot of energy, I knew we were running too much, and I was afraid for the second half," he said.
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"I tried to push them at half time but of course at this level if we make small mistakes — what I said against Colombia , against Portugal — you pay too much. Of course this World Cup for us is some experience, I'm proud because even if they suffered they showed what they can do."
