DR Congo vs Uzbekistan – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

DR Congo prepares for their game against Uzbekistan on Sunday, as only a win will secure their place in the Round of 32.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan – Match preview and team news

DR Congo team news

DR Congo enters this crucial encounter with a fully fit squad, free from any fresh injury concerns or suspensions.

Head coach Sébastien Desabre has announced a major tactical shift for this final group game.

After employing a defensive five-man backline against heavyweights Portugal and Colombia, Desabre plans to abandon the low-block system entirely.

Needing a victory to guarantee progression to the knockout stages, the Leopards will transition to an aggressive, front-foot 4-3-3 formation.

This tactical change will see Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu lead a dynamic, expansive forward line designed to exploit Uzbekistan’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Chancel Mbemba will marshal the back four, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka provides energy and coverage on the right flank.

With a highly motivated starting eleven ready to attack from the first whistle, DR Congo aims to dictate the tempo and secure the vital three points.

Uzbekistan team news

Uzbekistan has no new injuries or suspension worries ahead of this must-win fixture, giving manager Fabio Cannavaro a complete squad.

Despite suffering consecutive defeats against Colombia and Portugal and conceding eight goals, Cannavaro is expected to maintain his core lineup due to a lack of squad depth.

Defender Rustamjon Ashurmatov has fully recovered from a pre-tournament knock and will keep his place in the starting eleven.

Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov will anchor the familiar three-man defence, tasked with absorbing heavy Congolese pressure and organising the low block.

In midfield, Odiljon Khamrobekov remains available but must play cautiously if he starts, as he is one yellow card away from a suspension.

Captain Eldor Shomurodov will continue to lead the attack as the lone striker, searching for early goals to spark a historic turnaround for his nation.

Form

DR Congo

The Leopards have displayed a highly resilient yet toothless form in Group K. They opened their campaign with a historic 1–1 draw against Portugal, securing their first-ever World Cup point. However, their defensive block was finally breached in their second match, resulting in a narrow 1–0 defeat to Colombia. Having failed to win any of their pre-tournament friendlies, DR Congo is desperately searching for their first victory in the competition.

Uzbekistan

The White Wolves have endured a brutal introduction to their maiden World Cup campaign, struggling significantly with form. They sit at the bottom of the group after suffering consecutive heavy defeats, opening with a 3–1 loss to Colombia before being thoroughly outclassed in a 5–0 thrashing by Portugal. Combined with a 2–0 friendly defeat to Canada and a 2-1 defeat against the Netherlands earlier this month, Uzbekistan has now conceded 12 goals while scoring just twice in June.

Predicted lineups

DR Congo: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Bongonda, Bakambu, Wissa

Uzbekistan: Yusupov; Khusanov, Abdullayev, Ashurmatov; Karimov, Shukurov, Khamrobekov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullayev, Urunov; Shomurodov

How to watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan?

The DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan World Cup match will be broadcast live and free-to-air on BBC Two for viewers in the UK.

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