Nigeria vs DR Congo LIVE: World Cup play-off final result, latest updates and reaction after penalty shootout

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Evening Standard

·16 November 2025

Nigeria vs DR Congo LIVE: World Cup play-off final result, latest updates and reaction after penalty shootout

Super Eagles see World Cup dream end in dramatic fashion

Nigeria’s World Cup dream is over after losing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second round World Cup play-off final to DR Congo on penalties. After 120 minutes where the two nations could not be separated, it was the Leopards who outlasted the Super Eagles at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Chancel Mbemba, who dramatically scored in the 91st minute as DR Congo beat Cameroon in the semi-final to set up this winner-take-all fixture, converted the winning penalty after substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu had saved from Semi Ajayi in sudden death.

Nigeria took the lead as early as the third minute through Frank Onyeka’s deflected strike, but Meschak Elia equalised shortly after the half hour mark and that proved to be the end of the scoring until the shootout as DR Congo confirmed their status as Africa’s sole representative at FIFA's inter-confederation play-offs which take place early next year where six sides battle for two World Cup tickets. Follow Nigeria vs DR Congo back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog!