DR Congo lose to Chile and enter controversy eight days before World Cup

Eight days before their World Cup opener against Portugal, DR Congo’s Leopards suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chile on Tuesday evening at Stade de la Source in Orléans. The result immediately reignited controversy surrounding starting goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

The Chileans, who failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, took the lead through Dario Osorio (51st minute) before a second goal from Matias Sepulveda (86th minute) sealed the match. Joris Kayembe pulled one back in the 88th minute, but the Congolese comeback came too late. Four days earlier, DR Congo had drawn 0-0 with Denmark in Brussels.

The match was originally scheduled to be held in La Línea, Spain, but the city refused to host it citing the Ebola epidemic affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo — a decision deemed questionable, as none of the called-up players were based in the country.

Sébastien Desabre fielded his starting lineup: Mpasi in goal, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in defence, Ngal’ayel Mukau and Samuel Moutoussamy in midfield, Théo Bongonda and Nathanaël Mbuku on the wings, and Yoane Wissa up front. Gaël Kakuta and Cédric Bakambu came on in the second half.

It was Mpasi’s performance that drew the most criticism. The Le Havre goalkeeper, a DR Congo international since 2022 and undisputed starter since the start of qualifying in 2025, appeared too short on both long-range Chilean shots. Supporters are now calling for Matthieu Epolo, the 21-year-old Standard Liège goalkeeper who switched from Belgian youth teams to the Congolese squad last year.

However, it seems unlikely that Desabre would make such a hierarchical change on the eve of a World Cup. The Leopards, who qualified via the playoffs in March after beating Jamaica 1-0 a.e.t., will begin Group K on June 17 in Houston against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, before facing Colombia in Guadalajara and Uzbekistan in Atlanta. Quarter-finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations — eliminated by Algeria 1-0 a.e.t. — they approach this World Cup as clear underdogs in their group.