At the end of suspense, Tuanzebe sends the DRC to the 2026 World Cup
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All original articlesAt the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, the DRC achieved its historic performance. March 31, 2026 will be a date engraved in the annals of Congolese football. 52 after that, the Leopards make their comeback at the World Cup. A qualification won after the victory (1-0) against Jamaica in the final of the intercontinental play-offs after extra time. The goal was scored by Axel Tuanzebe, the central defender of Burnley FC.
DRC is the 10th African nation at the 2026 World Cup after Senegal, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde, Tunisia, South Africa and Ghana. Cédric Bakambu and his partners worked hard to obtain this qualifying ticket. The Leopards will be housed in group K with Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
A first period mastered
The DRC started this meeting strongly. In the 4th minute, Meschak Elia sent a pass to Cédric Bakambu. The latter opened the scoring. But, the goal was canceled for an offside position. Jamaica got their first big chance in the 30th minute with a shot deflected by Chancel Mbemba from the corner.
Very enterprising on the right side, Meschak Elia hit two dangerous shots. But the Jamaican goalkeeper André Blake was on the trajectory each time. Towards the end of the first period (40th minute), Leon Bailey, the Jamaican striker from Aston Villa, almost surprised Lionel Mpasi with a left-footed shot that hit the post. 0-0 at break.
The DRC started the second period with a bang. For his first touch, Cédric Bakambu was not far from the goal. In the 47th minute, the Real Betis striker curled his ball to find the far corner. But, Blake was very vigilant to take out the ball. After this opportunity, the game became very balanced between the two selections.
The stakes have really taken over the game. Opportunities are becoming increasingly rare and the content is disjointed on both sides. The Leopards woke up in the last 10 minutes. In the 85th minute, Bakambu, served by Theo Bongonda, pushed the ball to the back of the net. This goal is again canceled for irregular position. Two minutes later, Edo Kayembe tried the shot from afar; a ball that had not gone far from the frame. 0-0 at the end of the 90 minutes.
100th minute, the time for the delivery for the DRC
Having experienced a strong highlight at the end of the second period, DRC maintained this good momentum. 10 minutes after the start of the overtime period, that is to say the 100th minute, Axel Tuanzebe delivers a whole people. Upon receiving a corner from Brian Cipenga, the 5th of the Leopards in the match, the Burnley player catapulted the ball into the net. Beyond his XXL performance in defense, Tuanzebe scored the goal that is necessary. The goal that allows the Congolese team to make its return to a final phase of the World Cup, 52 years after its first participation (1974).