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DR Congo beat Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in Mexico, Axel Tuanzebe scored to send DR Congo to their first World Cup since 1974, they join Portugal Colombia Uzbekistan in Group K
DR Congo beat Jamaica 1-0 to qualify for FIFA World Cup (AP)
The Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in an intercontinental playoff on Tuesday to secure their first World Cup appearance in 52 years.
Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the only goal at the Akron Stadium near Guadalajara, sending the African side to this summer’s finals, where they will face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.
Tuanzebe bundled in a close-range finish from an in-swinging corner in the 100th minute to settle a lacklustre game played in hot, humid conditions.
The goal capped a dramatic qualification campaign for the Leopards, who eliminated African football giants Nigeria and Cameroon on their way to Tuesday’s playoff in Mexico.
It means the central African nation will play at the World Cup for the first time since the 1974 finals in West Germany, when the team competed as Zaire and were beaten by Scotland, Yugoslavia and Brazil.
How DR Congo Beat Jamaica?
Tuesday’s match went to extra time after the sides finished 90 minutes deadlocked at 0-0, with DR Congo dominating possession but failing to find a breakthrough against a dogged Jamaican defence.
The Congolese looked the more threatening side from kick-off and had the ball in the net after just five minutes, when Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu tucked away a low finish from Meschack Elia’s cross, only for it to be ruled offside.
Bakambu threatened again soon afterwards, but his looping header was comfortably gathered by Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.
With Jamaica sitting deep, Congo enjoyed ample possession but struggled to create many clear chances.
Elia shot into the side netting after collecting a clever chested layoff from Bakambu in the 23rd minute, and threatened again 10 minutes later when he burst down the right flank and forced a near-post save from Blake.
Jamaica’s only notable chance came midway through the half, but Kasey Palmer’s deflected shot drifted wide.
The pattern continued after half-time, and Bakambu nearly opened the scoring on 47 minutes when his curling shot from outside the area was parried away at full stretch by Blake.
That was as good as it got for Congo until a flurry of chances in the final minutes of normal time.
Bakambu saw a second goal ruled out in the 85th minute after Theo Bongonda was judged offside in the build-up, and two minutes later substitute Edo Kayembe watched a long-range effort whistle past the post.
The breakthrough finally came in extra time when Tuanzebe met a corner in the six-yard box to put Congo ahead and seal their World Cup return.
(With inputs from Agencies)
April 01, 2026, 08:13 IST
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