PHOTOS: Congo faces Uzbekistan in World Cup game at Atlanta Stadium

Sports

PHOTOS: Congo faces Uzbekistan in World Cup game at Atlanta Stadium

Goals and action filled Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday as Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to advance to the knockout round in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

DR Congo midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy (8) celebrates a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan during a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy (8) celebrates during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa (20) reacts after a win against Uzbekistan during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo reacts after kicking a goal against Uzbekistan during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa (20) reacts after kicking a goal against Uzbekistan during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa (20) makes an attempt on the goal as Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov (12) defends during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa (20) is joined by teammates as they celebrate a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy (8) carries the country flag onto the pitch during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo forward Yoane Wissa scores on a penalty kick against Uzbekistan during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo forward Yoane Wissa (right) celebrates with defender Gédéon Kalulu as teammate Fiston Mayele drops to his knees in the background after a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan after the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo players celebrate a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan after the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Uzbekistan midfielder Otabek Shukurov reacts against Congo during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Sherzod Nasrullaev (right) tries to steal the ball from Congo forward Nathanaël Mbuku during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo forward Brian Cipenga attempts a kick against Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Rustam Ashurmatov (left) and Congo forward Cédric Bakambu (right) battle for control during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Rustam Ashurmatov (left) and Congo forward Fiston Mayele (right) collide during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo forward Brian Cipenga (right) and Uzbekistan defender Khojiakbar Alijonov battle for control of the ball during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Khojiakbar Alijonov (right) steals the ball from Congo forward Brian Cipenga (left) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta.(Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe (right) heads the ball away in front of Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov (left) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan fans cheer during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo fans cheer during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo forward Nathanaël Mbuku (right) heads the ball upfield against Uzbekistan midfielder Akmal Mozgovoy (left) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo forward Nathanaël Mbuku (left) celebrates blocking an attempted Uzbekistan goal during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov (left) chases Congo forward Yoane Wissa (right) across midfield during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo forward Cédric Bakambu (right) controls the ball against Uzbekistan during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal over Congo during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo defender Arthur Masuaku (left) struggles to break free from Uzbekistan midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev (right) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo forward Cédric Bakambu (right) controls the ball past Uzbekistan defender Rustam Ashurmatov (left) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov controls the ball against Congo during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Congo midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau (front right), forward Fiston Mayele (front left) and defender Joris Kayembe (back left) celebrate a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan after the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov (left) and Congo forward Yoane Wissa (right) battle for control during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo players react after a goal against Uzbekistan seals the game at 3-1 during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo forward Yoane Wissa (left) and forward Théo Bongonda (center) watch a goal by forward Fiston Mayele get past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo forward Yoane Wissa (second from right) reacts after a goal against Uzbekistan seals the game at 3-1 during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi makes a stop against Uzbekistan during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe (left) and Uzbekistan midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev (right) battle for control during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Congo defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka (right) fight for the ball during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov (center) makes a stop against Congo during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov (center) heads the ball away from his team's goal during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov is flagged with a yellow card against Congo during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Uzbekistan defender Khojiakbar Alijonov (left) and Congo forward Brian Cipenga (right) battle for control during the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

DR Congo forward Fiston Mayele (19) scores against Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov (12) during the second half of a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

1/42

Credit: Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.co

DR Congo midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy (8) celebrates a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan during a FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

AJC06272026_WC_Congo_Uzbekistan

PHOTOS: Congo faces Uzbekistan in World Cup game at Atlanta Stadium

1h ago

Shakira took part in the World Cup festivities, bringing her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to State Farm Arena. Singing and dancing through countless hits from her 36-year career, the Grammy Award winner dazzled the Atlanta crowd on Friday, June 26, 2026 at State Farm Arena. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Shakira comes to Atlanta during the World Cup

The War And Treaty at Decatur WatchFest

PHOTOS: The War and Treaty at Decatur WatchFest

FIFA Fan Festival : Morocco vs. Haiti

PHOTOS: Morocco, Haiti fans fill stadium and FIFA Fan Festival

More Galleries

Morocco Vs. Haiti

PHOTOS: Haiti faces Morocco at World Cup in Atlanta

Atlanta Dream host the Toronto Tempo in an WNBA game at State Farm Arena

PHOTOS: Dream host Tempo in WNBA action

Spain vs. Saudia Arabia

PHOTOS: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia at Atlanta’s third FIFA World Cup match

PHOTOS: WC Fan Fest

PHOTOS: Fans gather at the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park