At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Democratic Republic of Congo staged a stirring second-half revival to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 and banish a 52-year spectre. The victory, their first at a World Cup since appearing as Zaire in 1974, propelled them into the knockout rounds as one of the tournament’s best third-placed finishers. For South Korea, the consequence was immediate and brutal: with four points from Group K, DR Congo leapfrogged the Taeguk Warriors in the pecking order of third-placed teams, extinguishing any lingering Asian hopes of a reprieve.\n\nThe evening began with promise for the White Wolves, playing for pride in their debut World Cup. Eldor Shomurodov, Uzbekistan’s captain, showed exquisite technique in the 10th minute, latching onto a flicked pass and looping a delicate lob over the stranded Lionel Mpasi after Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe failed to clear. DR Congo thought they had levelled seven minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku arrowed a shot inside the near post, but a VAR review detected a trailing arm across the face of Sherzod Nasrullaev in the build-up, and the goal was disallowed. Uzbekistan held firm through the interval, their compact shape frustrating a Congolese side that dominated possession but lacked cutting edge.\n\nThe tide turned decisively after the break. In the 68th minute, Abdukodir Khusanov’s rash challenge on Yoane Wissa inside the area conceded a penalty, and the Newcastle United striker calmly sent Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way to equalise. The goal ignited the overwhelmingly Congolese crowd of nearly 70,000. Ten minutes later, substitute Fiston Mayele pounced on a deflected Meschack Elia shot, dinking the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to complete the turnaround. Wissa added a flourish in stoppage time, curling a precise effort into the far corner from the edge of the box for his third goal of the tournament and a final 3-1 scoreline that scarcely flattered the Leopards, who outshot their opponents 19 to 3.\n\nThe result reshaped the landscape of the expanded 48-team tournament. DR Congo, who had earlier held Portugal to a 1-1 draw and lost narrowly to Colombia, finished third in Group K with four points, sufficient to claim a place among the eight best third-placed teams. Uzbekistan, coached by Fabio Cannavaro, departed without a point from three matches. South Korea, who had three points from Group A, were left to rue a defeat to South Africa that left them vulnerable on goal difference. Sébastien Desabre, the Congolese coach, praised his squad’s character, noting the contribution of players who stepped in for the decisive fixture. England now await in the round of 32 on 1 July, back at the same Atlanta venue.