Football Match Report | DR Congo 1 - 0 Jamaica

It was a historic night for one former Manchester United defender and his country

The Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first World Cup appearance in 52 years as Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal earned a 1-0 victory over Jamaica.

Author | Olivia T

Author | Guadalajara Stadium

In the build-up to the match, Tuanzebe had described the occasion as the biggest of his career, and the former England youth international, born in Bunia, a city affected by ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, has now etched his name into the country’s football history.

Leopards striker Cédric Bakambu had two goals correctly ruled out for offside in normal time, and it felt fitting that such a finely balanced contest required an additional 30 minutes.

It was Tuanzebe who ultimately made the difference, reacting quickest as Brian Cipenga’s inswinging corner flicked off Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere and rebounded into the Burnley man in the 100th minute, with the ball bundled over the line via his torso.

Celebrations were briefly delayed

Officials checked for a possible handball, but the video assistant referee confirmed there had been no contact with Tuanzebe’s arm.

Jamaica, who were seeking a second World Cup appearance after 1998 FIFA World Cup, struggled to create clear chances in search of an equaliser.

Instead, DR Congo take their place in Group K of the expanded 48-team tournament, where they will open against Portugal in Houston on 17 June before facing Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Amazing scenes here!

Can't wait to see them at the World Cup.pic.twitter.com/uYYuW2ThGE

— European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) April 1, 2026

A long journey to this stage

This was the first meeting between the sides, drawn together in pathway one of Fifa’s intercontinental play-offs, with both arriving on the back of morale-boosting victories.

A solitary goal from Wrexham striker Bailey Cadamarteri proved enough for Jamaica to edge past New Caledonia in Friday’s semi-final, while DR Congo prepared with a 2-0 win in a friendly against Bermuda.

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The Central Africans advanced directly to the play-off final due to their superior world ranking, placed 49th compared with Jamaica’s 68th.

Even so, the Leopards had already endured a demanding route to this stage, contesting a 13th qualifier in a campaign that began in November 2023.

Under Sébastien Desabre, they finished second behind Senegal in their group before overcoming Cameroon and Nigeria in the African play-offs to set up this meeting in the heart of Mexico.

Congo fashioned the better of the early chances, with Cédric Bakambu seeing an effort ruled out for offside in the fifth minute after turning in Meschack Elia’s low delivery from close range.