The Democratic Republic of Congo booked their first World Cup spot in 52 years thanks to Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal, securing a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.
Ahead of the match, Tuanzebe described the game as the biggest of his career. The former England youth international, born in Bunia, a city affected by ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, has now etched his name into Congolese football history.
The tightly contested game saw Leopards striker Cedric Bakambu have two goals correctly ruled out for offside in regular time, meaning the match needed an extra 30 minutes to be decided.
It was in the 100th minute that Tuanzebe struck. Brian Cipenga’s in-swinging corner clipped the top of Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere and ricocheted toward the onrushing Burnley man, who used his torso to guide the ball almost instinctively into the net.
Celebrations were briefly paused as officials checked for a possible handball, but VAR confirmed the ball had not touched Tuanzebe’s arm.
Jamaica, aiming for their second World Cup appearance since France 1998, were unable to create meaningful chances to equalise.
Instead, it is DR Congo that will make their mark at the expanded 48-team tournament, placed in Group K. They face Portugal in their opening match in Houston on 17 June, followed by fixtures against Colombia and Uzbekistan.