DR Congo finally reached the World Cup again after 52 years, beating Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in the intercontinental play-off final. Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal at Estadio AKRON in the 100th minute. Congo now joined Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group F for the 2026 tournament.

The match stayed tight for long spells, with both teams hitting the frame of the goal in normal time. Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa led Congo’s attacking threat, yet Jamaica’s defence and goalkeeper Andre Blake resisted. A late Bakambu finish was disallowed for offside before extra time decided the contest.

Congo believed they had won it near the end of normal time when Bakambu scored from close range. The celebrations stopped quickly, as the assistant ruled Theo Bongonda offside in the build-up. That setback did not break Congo’s focus, and extra time brought the crucial breakthrough from a set-piece.

Tuanzebe struck in the 100th minute after Jamaica failed to clear an in-swinging corner. The ball dropped inside the six-yard area and Tuanzebe reacted fastest to score. Jamaica pushed forward after falling behind, but Lionel Mpasi and a compact Congo defence preserved the narrow lead until the final whistle.

Congo started the game on the front foot, creating early chances through Bakambu. Blake denied the forward more than once, keeping Jamaica level. At the other end, Ethan Pinnock’s header went straight at Mpasi. Around the half-hour mark, Meschack Elia struck the woodwork, moments before Leon Bailey hit the frame from distance.

The second half brought more territorial control from Congo without many clear openings. Bakambu forced another save from Blake before Wissa shot off target from a promising position. Jamaica enjoyed spells of possession but struggled to move the ball into dangerous areas. The contest drifted towards extra time before Tuanzebe’s later impact.

DR Congo World Cup qualification backed by key numbers

Congo’s win matched the underlying data, as the team created the better chances across the 120 minutes. Congo produced 1.45 expected goals from 19 shots, while Jamaica managed 0.3 expected goals from only six attempts. The shot volume highlighted Congo’s attacking intent and Jamaica’s difficulties in the final third.

Bakambu did not score but remained a constant problem for Jamaica’s defence. The forward attempted five shots, with two on target, and recorded eight touches inside the penalty area. Bakambu also created one chance for a teammate. Jamaica’s players could not match that influence, despite controlling more of the ball in midfield areas.

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Jamaica finished with 52.5% possession and completed 437 passes compared with Congo’s 389. However, that extra passing did not translate into threat near Mpasi’s goal. The Reggae Boyz saw their World Cup hopes end, while Congo’s 52-year wait for a return to the global stage finally ended in Guadalajara.