Nigeria started brightly with Frank Onyeka firing home a powerful strike inside three minutes, giving the Super Eagles an early surge of belief. But DR Congo fought back, and Meschack Elia levelled just before the break, shifting the momentum of a fierce contest. Extra time produced chances but no winner, pushing the night into a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out that ended 4–3 in Congo’s favour.

The defeat brings a painful end to Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup journey, leaving players and fans stunned after a battle that demanded everything but delivered heartbreak.