Document-breaking 9 African groups qualify for 2026 World Cup knockouts.

9 out of the ten African groups representing the continent on the 2026 FIFA World Cup certified for the Spherical of 32. D.R. Congo and Algeria had been the final two CAF groups to progress following essential outcomes vs. Uzbekistan and Austria, respectively.

D.R. Congo got here from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 of their ultimate Group Ok match on the Atlanta Stadium on Sunday morning.

The Leopards suffered an early setback when Uzbekistan went forward at ten minutes via an impeccably lobbed objective by Eldor Shamurodov after the African aspect didn’t clear their strains. An equalizing objective was scored within the seventeenth minute, albeit briefly, after D.R. Congo was adjudged to have dedicated a foul within the build-up.

One hour into the competition and there was nonetheless no breakthrough for the Leopards as frustration started to develop. Within the 68th minute, D.R. Congo, who desperately wanted a win, restored parity with a Yoane Wissa spotkick. Substitute Fiston Mayele ghosted into the field to show the sport on its head, poking the ball previous Abduvokhid Nematov for a 2-1 lead at 78 minutes.

Wissa was not performed but, scoring a belter from exterior the field within the first minute of added time to bury the sport and ship D.R. Congo to the knockouts with 4 factors.

For the primary time of their historical past, the Leopards have certified to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage on their return after a 52-year hiatus. Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal drew 0-0 with Colombia, ending second within the group with 5 factors whereas the 2024 Copa America finalists secured first place with seven.
On the Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Algeria performed out a six-goal thriller with Austria, sharing the spoils because the pair certified for the knockouts.

The Desert Foxes cancelled out Marko Arnautovic’s early opener when Rafik Belghali despatched two defenders to the bottom earlier than blasting the ball into the highest nook simply earlier than the break.

Marcel Sabitzer put Austria again in entrance within the fifty fifth minute earlier than Algeria fought again to equalize once more 5 minutes later. A ball swept throughout the face of objective fell to an unmarked Riyad Mahrez on his left foot. The tip consequence was inevitable.

Mahrez thought he received it for Algeria with a right-footed end within the 93rd minute however Sasa Kalajdzic made it 3-3 on the dying just a few seconds after approaching. Within the different group match, Lionel Messi’s free kick objective from the bench capped off Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan.

90% (9 out of 10) African groups made it to the subsequent spherical, which is a better qualification charge than South America (83%), Europe (81%), North America (50%), and Asia (22%).

South Africa kick off Africa’s Spherical of 32 journey with a conflict towards co-hosts Canada on the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday. On Tuesday, Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire face the Netherlands and Norway, respectively.
D.R. Congo lock horns with England whereas Senegal go head-to-head with Belgium on July 1 earlier than Algeria face Switzerland two days later.

Thereafter, Egypt performs Australia, Cabo Verde meets Argentina, and Ghana shares the pitch with Colombia on Saturday. Sadly, Tunisia is not going to be taking part within the knockouts after ending backside of Group F.

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