Democratic Republic of the Congo manager Sebastien Desabre has called on his players to stay positive and keep fighting for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, after his side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Group K on 24 June at Guadalajara Stadium. The loss leaves DR Congo third in the group with just one point from two matches, and their tournament survival now hinges on the final fixture.

Where DR Congo Stand

The African nation — making its first World Cup appearance since 1974 — must beat Uzbekistan in their final group-stage match in Atlanta on Saturday to have any realistic chance of advancing to the round of 32. The equation is straightforward but demanding: a defeat or draw almost certainly ends their campaign.

How Colombia Won It

Colombia secured all three points through a late goal from Daniel Munoz, who finally pierced a disciplined DR Congo defensive block that had held firm for much of the contest. Desabre conceded that the South American side were the superior team on the night.

'It would have been good to get a draw, but we must recognize that Colombia was superior,' Desabre said. 'They have an excellent possession game. We came into the game late. Our second half was better, but that's football. We have to analyze what happened and move forward.'

What Desabre Said

Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, the French coach was candid about the disappointment but refused to let his squad wallow in it. 'We need to accept the loss, keep our heads high and get back into the fight quickly,' he said.

Desabre drew encouragement from the broader arc of DR Congo's tournament so far, noting that the side had already made history before the Colombia game. 'We are happy to have scored our first goal, and we are using this as a learning experience,' he added.

Historic Milestone Before the Setback

DR Congo earned their first-ever World Cup point — and scored their first-ever World Cup goal — with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening group match. That result, celebrated as a landmark moment for Congolese football, gave the squad a platform of confidence heading into the Colombia fixture.

Notably, this is only the nation's second World Cup appearance in over five decades, making every match — and every point — a piece of history in itself.

The Uzbekistan Challenge

Desabre acknowledged that the final group game against Uzbekistan will be far from straightforward. 'Uzbekistan will be difficult because they defend well, but we are going to give our all. Now we have to rest and recover our energy,' he said.

Uzbekistan, also making a strong impression on their World Cup debut, are known for their defensive solidity — precisely the kind of opponent that makes goal-scoring a challenge. DR Congo will need to be clinical if they are to extend their historic run at the tournament.