Portugal Misses Group Victory
DR Congo Celebrates World Cup Fairytale, Ronaldo Can’t Help
June 28, 2026 | 03:39 Uhr
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) made history by advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time, overcoming a deficit against Uzbekistan. In the race for group victory, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t make a decisive impact for Portugal.
With a stunning comeback, the DRC triumphed over Uzbekistan with a score of 3-1 after trailing 0-1 at halftime. The team’s heroic performance, led by striker Yoane Wissa, saw them secure their first-ever World Cup victory and advance to the Round of 16. Historically, this marks a significant achievement for the Central African nation, which previously participated in the tournament in 1974, when it was still known as Zaire.
A Match to Remember: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan
Wissa’s goals at the 68th minute (penalty) and in stoppage time, along with a strike from substitute Fiston Mayele at the 78th minute, turned the tide in favor of the DRC. Uzbekistan’s captain, Eldor Schomurodow, had initially given his team the lead with a goal in the 10th minute. The DRC finished the group stage with four points, having originally held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening match, thus earning qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.
Portugal’s Disappointment
Despite the DRC’s jubilant advance, Portugal was unable to achieve the group victory they desired. Coach Roberto Martinez’s side could only manage a 0-0 draw against Colombia in their final group match. Although the scoreline seemed dull, the match itself was intense and filled with opportunities for both teams. A potential winning goal by Colombia from Davinson Sanchez was ruled out by VAR for offside in the dying seconds of the match.
Even with this disappointing result, Portugal qualified for the knockout stage for the third consecutive time. They have secured their place as the runner-up in Group K. They will face Croatia, the second-placed team in Group L, in their Round of 16 matchup in Toronto. This could potentially lead to a challenging clash against former European champions Spain in the next round.
Looking Ahead
Colombia, with players like Bayern’s Luis Diaz, secured the top spot in the group with their draw against Portugal. Their next challenge lies ahead in the Round of 16 against Ghana. Meanwhile, both teams had already secured their spots in the knockout stages prior to this match, making the final group results a strategic contest for a more favorable matchup.
This World Cup has been filled with surprises, and the story of DR Congo is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this thrilling saga.
