Yoane Wissa scored two as the Democratic Republic of Congo fought from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta and book a round-of-32 clash against England.
The Newcastle forward was the star of the show as he scored his second and third goals of the tournament to ensure his side clinched third in Group K and their first World Cup victory. Wissa was also on target as the Leopards drew with Portugal on matchday one.
What's now DR Congo's most glorious footballing victory, nearly wasn't to be. Uzbekistan opened the scoring after a quick start after captain Eldor Shomurodov punished before defending. He earlier found the net in the opening minute, only for it to be chalked off for offside.
DR Congo, who needed a win to progress, were then sparked into action. Although Nathan Mbuku's equaliser was ruled out after his flailing arm caught Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face during the build-up, Wissa provided the lifeline. The 29-year-old was caught in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov and stepped up to coolly convert his penalty.
Fiston Mayele, a second-half substitute, put Congo's noses in front for the first time before Wissa arrowed in a third to seal the win. The same stage that saw DR Congo claim a famous victory will house their first knockout tie against England on Wednesday.
1: OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Uzbekistan nearly take an early lead, straight from kick-off. Skipper Shomurodov beats Mpasi but the flag goes up instantly for offside.
10: GOAL! Shomurodov takes full advantage of a DR Congo mess at the back, lobbing the ball over Mpasi, who is caught in no man's land.
19: NO GOAL! VAR rules out Mbuku's equaliser for a foul in the build-up.
35: DR CONGO WANT A PENALTY! Cipenga goes down in the area after Alidzhanov places two hands on the forward. It looks like a push!
68: GOAL! Wissa sends Nematov the wrong way with a coolly taken penalty after Khusanov's foul to level for DR Congo.
78: GOAL! Mayele pokes DR Congo in front to complete the comeback.
90+1: GOAL! Wissa fires from range to seal DR Congo's spot in the round of 32.
Analysis by Your Site' William Bitibiri:
"If you're looking for your dark horses in the knockout stages, you won't find one in DR Congo. Instead, you'll find a prowling, stubborn Leopard, primed and ready to spring a surprise or two.
"Portugal came away licking their wounds, with weaknesses exposed in their meeting with DR Congo, leading to the questioning of a stellar array of footballers.
"Not only did DR Congo claim a point against Portugal, who were considered one of the competition's favourites from the outset, but onlookers would be justified to argue that Sebastien Desabre's men deserved a victory.
"Colombia offered a different test and while DR Congo eventually ceded under pressure late in the game, the principles were clear - defend first and ask questions later.
"DR Congo are not a side designed to entertain; they are a nation built on not losing. Despite Yoane Wissa's three goals in the competition, the defence is where Desabre has placed his focus during his reign.
"Under his four-year stewardship, DR Congo have never been beaten by more than one goal. For context, Thomas Tuchel, who took over England last year, has already lost by a two-goal margin - a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.
"But Congo's goalscoring is a stumbling block, with the side scoring one goal or fewer in two-thirds of their matches.
"The inquest into England's lack of creativity, inspiration or energy in attacking areas continues despite their 2-0 win over Panama. On a quest to fix that, don't expect Tuchel to find easy prey to remedy that against the stubborn DR Congo."
DR Congo boss Sebastien Desabre: "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: "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.
"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."
