History was written at Estadio Akron in Mexico as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged Jamaica 1-0 after extra time to secure a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup becoming the 10th African nation to book a ticket to 2026 Fifa World Cup. It was a night defined by tension, resilience, and one decisive moment that ended a 52-year absence from the global stage. DR Congo last appearance was 1974 , then called Zaire.

From the opening whistle, both sides approached the occasion with caution, fully aware of what was at stake. The early exchanges were balanced, with midfield battles dominating and clear chances few and far between. DR Congo showed early intent through Cedric Bakambu, who thought he had given his side the lead in the opening minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. It set the tone for a tightly contested encounter where margins were always going to be fine.

Jamaica gradually settled into the rhythm of the game, growing into the contest with disciplined defending and measured attacking play. Leon Bailey provided moments of inspiration, testing the Congolese backline with his pace and directness, while Kasey Palmer also came close as the Reggae Boyz pushed forward in search of an opening. At the other end, Lionel Mpasi remained alert, ensuring the deadlock remained intact heading into the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams probing but struggling to carve out clear-cut opportunities. Congo continued to look dangerous on the break, with Bakambu and Yoane Wissa testing Andre Blake, but the Jamaican goalkeeper stood firm. As the clock ticked down, the tension inside the stadium grew. Congo thought they had found the breakthrough late in normal time when Bakambu finished from close range, but once again the offside flag denied them.

With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the contest moved into extra time, where the stakes grew even higher. Fatigue began to set in, yet both teams summoned the energy for one final push. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 100th minute, and it came in dramatic fashion.

A well-delivered in-swinging corner caused panic inside the Jamaican penalty area. The ball flicked off a defender and fell kindly into the path of Axel Tuanzebe, who reacted instinctively from close range to bundle it over the line. For a moment, celebrations were held in suspense as the officials reviewed the goal for a possible handball, but after a brief check, the decision stood. Congo had their moment.

From there, the Leopards managed the game with composure, denying Jamaica any real opportunity to respond. Despite late attempts from the Caribbean side to push forward, clear chances remained elusive. Even as the game stretched deep into added time, the Congolese defense held firm, repelling everything thrown their way.

When the final whistle finally sounded, It was end of the road for Jamaica’s reggae Boys who were chasing a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 & on the Other side , it marked the end of a long and arduous journey that began back in 2023 for Leopard’s the Fimbu nation, DR Congo had navigated a demanding qualification path, overcoming some of Africa’s strongest sides to reach this stage, and they delivered when it mattered most.

Equally ,was a defining moment for Tuanzebe in his career. Born in Bunia and once part of England’s youth setup, he etched his name into Congolese football history with a goal that will be remembered for generations. His strike not only decided the match but also carried the hopes of a nation back onto the world stage.

DR Congo now look ahead to the tournament, where they are set to face formidable opposition including Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in group K of Fifa World Cup.