🇨🇩 DR Congo make history, secure spot in World Cup play-offs

African football has seen it all. But the Moroccan night of this showdown between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to join the shelf of great stories that only football can tell.

This was a single match, with Africa’s spot in the World Cup 2026 intercontinental playoff on the line.

After a 1-1 draw in regular time plus extra time, the Democratic Republic of Congo made history by prevailing in the penalty shootout, 4-3.

With a special highlight for the goalkeeper who came on just for the “moment of truth.”

The dream of returning to the World Cup lives on—see more below.

Their only World Cup appearance was in 1974, when they were still called Zaire. They even faced the Brazilian national team back then.

They had already eliminated Cameroon before knocking out another continental giant. And they’re heading strong into the playoff.

Favorites and full of stars, Nigeria opened the scoring just three minutes in, when Onyeka pounced on a rebound and benefited from a deflection off Tuanzebe. But this single-elimination match had other plans. In the 32nd minute, Bakambu crossed from the right, Ndidi fumbled the clearance and “served” Elia, who equalized for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 1-1 scoreline held through time, through chances on both sides, and even through two Congolese goals that were disallowed for attacking fouls. The match grew heavy, dramatic, eventually pushing everything into extra time—and then, to penalties.

That’s when the unlikely hero emerged: Fayulu, the backup goalkeeper, who came on in the last minute just for the shootout. And he made history. He saved shots from Simon and Ajayi, and also saw Bassey sky Nigeria’s first penalty.

– Sunday, 16 November 2025

Who remembers Tim Krul doing the same to send the Netherlands through against Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup?

– Sunday, 16 November 2025

On the other side, Nwabali shone by saving shots from Moutoussamy and Tuanzebe, but it wasn’t enough. DR Congo won 4-3.

Captain Mbemba converted the biggest penalty of his career to seal the celebration.

The “underdog” toppled Osimhen, Lookman, Chukwueze & Co. And secured their place in the playoff.

Now, DR Congo joins Bolivia and New Caledonia, who have already qualified for the intercontinental playoff.

Asia will still send its representative after the second leg between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates—1-1 in the first leg.

The other two spots will go to the best runners-up from the final round of Concacaf. These will be decided on Tuesday (18th).

The two highest-ranked teams will already be in the playoff finals. These will award the last two tickets to the World Cup .

The Democratic Republic of Congo is ranked 60th and awaits the other qualifiers to see if they will be (or not) one of the two finalists.

Bolivia (76th) is an outsider. And New Caledonia (150th) has no chance.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.