African football celebrated another landmark day at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo produced stirring comeback victories driven by two iconic captains—Riyad Mahrez and Yoane Wissa—whose record-breaking performances propelled their nations into the Round of 32.
It was a day defined by resilience, history and unforgettable individual brilliance.
For Algeria, Riyad Mahrez once again proved why he remains one of Africa’s greatest footballers. The captain scored twice in a breathtaking 3-3 draw with Austria, inspiring Les Fennecs from behind on two occasions before their qualification was confirmed despite Saša Kalajdžić’s dramatic 96th-minute equaliser for Austria.
Austria had taken the lead through Marko Arnautović before Rafik Belghali restored parity just before half-time. Marcel Sabitzer fired the Austrians back in front early in the second half, but Mahrez responded with a superb finish in the 60th minute to make it 2-2.
With the match heading towards its conclusion, Mahrez struck again in the 90th minute, seemingly handing Algeria victory. Although Kalajdžić rescued Austria with virtually the final kick of the game, the thrilling 3-3 draw ensured both nations advanced to the knockout stage while Iran suffered heartbreak.
Named Man of the Match, Mahrez dedicated the achievement to Algerian supporters.
“We delivered a match full of character and stayed united on the pitch. The most important thing was to secure qualification. We dedicate this qualification to our incredible supporters, who backed us throughout the entire match.”
The performance further cemented Mahrez’s legendary status.
At 35 years and four months, he became Algeria’s oldest-ever FIFA World Cup goalscorer, surpassing the record held by Djamel Zidane since 1986. He also became only the second African player aged 35 or older to score twice in a World Cup match, following Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who achieved the feat twice during Italia ’90.
The brace also made Mahrez the first Algerian player to score 10 goals across major international tournaments—nine at the Africa Cup of Nations and one at the FIFA World Cup—adding another milestone to a career already decorated with an AFCON title, multiple Premier League crowns and a UEFA Champions League triumph.
While Mahrez was inspiring Algeria, another African captain was writing history of his own.
In Kansas City, DR Congo overturned an early deficit to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1, recording the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup victory and securing a historic place in the Round of 32.
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov stunned the Congolese with an early opener in the 10th minute, but the Leopards refused to panic.
Yoane Wissa levelled from the penalty spot in the 67th minute before Fiston Mayele completed the comeback 11 minutes later with a composed finish that sent the Congolese supporters into celebration.
As Uzbekistan searched desperately for an equaliser, Wissa struck again in stoppage time, calmly finishing a swift counterattack to complete his brace and seal a famous victory.
The Newcastle United forward continues to rewrite Congolese football history.
Having already scored DR Congo’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Portugal earlier in the tournament, Wissa has now scored the nation’s first three goals in World Cup history. His brace also saw him become the first Newcastle United player to score a World Cup penalty since Craig Moore converted for Australia against Croatia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Named Man of the Match, Wissa’s leadership and clinical finishing carried the Leopards into uncharted territory as they reached the knockout rounds for the first time.
For DR Congo, qualification represents the greatest World Cup campaign in the nation’s history. For Algeria, it marks another milestone for a golden generation led by Mahrez, whose influence continues to transcend generations.
Together, Mahrez and Wissa delivered a statement that echoed far beyond the final whistle. On a day when Africa’s biggest stars rose to the occasion, Algeria and DR Congo didn’t simply qualify—they announced themselves as genuine contenders capable of troubling any opponent in the knockout rounds.
From Mahrez’s record-breaking brilliance to Wissa’s history-making heroics, the 2026 FIFA World Cup produced another unforgettable chapter in African football’s remarkable rise on the global stage.