Aaron Wan-Bissaka completed the full 90 minutes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo struck a late winner to beat Cameroon 1-0 and keep their dreams of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification alive.
The Léopards met the five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions at Al Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, in the semi-finals of the CAF qualifying second round, having progressed from the group stage as one of the top four ranked runners-up.
After 90 goalless minutes, Lille’s Chancel Mbemba struck a winner in the first minute of injury time to seal a dramatic victory for DR Congo, and book a spot in the second-round final against Nigeria - who beat Gabon 4-1 after extra-time in their semi-final - at 7pm GMT on Sunday 16 November.
The winner of that clash, set to be hosted at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, also in Rabat, will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs next spring, from which two of six teams will earn spots at the finals in North America.
Earlier on Thursday, Hammers midfielder Tomáš Souček scored the decisive goal as Czechia edged past San Marino 1-0 in an international friendly in Karviná.
Our No28 missed a penalty for the hosts shortly after the half-hour mark, but made amends five minutes before half-time by striking his 16th international goal on his 86th senior appearance for his country.
Souček and his teammates will be hoping to replicate that result when they take on Gibraltar in their final World Cup qualifying UEFA Group L clash on Monday 17 November (7.45pm GMT).
Second-place Czechia go into that game with an outside chance of finishing top and securing automatic progression to the finals. To do that, they must defeat Gibraltar heavily and hope Croatia lose to the Faroe Islands at home and away to Montenegro by big margins in their last two matches.
Whatever happens, Souček and his compatriots are guaranteed a place in the play-offs by virtue of finishing top of their UEFA Nations League group earlier this year.
West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen was an unused substitute as already-qualified England remained on track to complete a perfect campaign in UEFA Group K by beating Serbia 2-0 at Wembley, courtesy of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze goals.
The Three Lions will play their eighth and final group game away at Albania in Tirana at 5pm GMT on Sunday 16 November, when Bowen will be hoping to win his 20th cap.
Academy defender Josh Briggs was similarly named on the bench as Northern Ireland U21s saw off Latvia U21s 1-0 in 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group F, with Sam Glenfield netting the game's only goal.
