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FULL TIMELast update 11:02 AM ET
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Key moments
GAME OVER
The five minutes of added time have expired, and the match at the Stade de Kégué is now over, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo team scoring a narrow victory over Togo, a team that is hoping to reach next year's World Cup.
Togo 0-1 DR Congo
Three minutes of the five minutes added on have already been played, but the score doesn't look likely to change. The Togolese's football is very poor, and the Congolese haven't put in much effort after scoring the only goal of the match.
The final two minutes of regulation time are up, and everything seems to indicate that the match will end that way. With this victory, the Democratic Republic of Congo team moves into second place with 19 points, two behind Senegal, which would qualify directly for the World Cup. Togo remains in fourth place with seven points.
The fifth and final substitution for the Democratic Republic of Congo national team is Edo Kayembe, who replaces Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a winger who is quickly looking to score a second goal and seal the match.
Fifth and final substitution for Togo's national team: Mawouna Amevor replaces Dakonam Djené, center back for center back, Djené apparently withdraws with physical discomfort that prevents him from playing the final minutes of the match.
Togo's third and fourth substitutions: Samsindin Ouro and Kodjo Laba come on for Yawo Evra Agbagno and Alaixys Romao. Midfielder for midfielder and striker for striker, looking to surprise and equalize.
Cédric Bakambu's goal
In this second half, we only registered one shot on goal in over 25 minutes of play. Two similar teams, at least today, with Togo already eliminated and DR Congo already secured a spot in the playoffs, although they will surely be looking to fight for a direct pass against Senegal.
Cooling break.
Third and fourth substitutions for the Democratic Republic of Congo national team. Jackson Muleka and Ngal'ayel Mukau come on for Cédric Bakambu and Nathanael Mbuku, two substitutions for new players looking to sustain the result in their favor.
Togo makes its second substitution: Yaw Annor replaces Guillaume Yenoussi.
Second yellow card of the match, second for the DR Congo national team. The 34-year-old goal scorer, Cédric Bakambu, who plays for Real Betis in Spain, is cautioned for a foul in midfield involving grabbing an opponent's shirt.
A very slow pace of play has been the constant throughout this hour of the match. Togo isn't fighting for anything, and the Democratic Republic of Congo team, with the narrowest margin in their favor, is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
Togo continues to have more possession, but they are failing to create any significant offensive plays. The Congolese have not gotten close to the opponent's goal, and the minimal lead in their favor is reassuring.
The first five minutes were the same as in the first half, with the Togolese controlling the ball and constantly trying to get close to the Congolese goal to tie the match.
Yawo Agbagno's great long-range shot was saved by the visiting goalkeeper with a superb save.
SECOND HALF STARTS
The final 45 minutes of this match between Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the ninth matchday of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, are now underway.
Both teams make a substitution. For Togo, Kennedy Boateng replaces Sadik Fofana, and for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Meshchack Elia replaces Fiston Mayele.
FIRST HALF ENDS
The three minutes of added time have been played, and the first 45 minutes of this sluggish match between Togo and DR Congo are now over. The Congolese side partially win by a narrow margin and cling onto second place in the group.
Togo 0-1 DR Congo
Three minutes of added time will be played in this slow-paced first half, which the Democratic Republic of Congo team partially won with a goal from Cédric Bakambu. A match between two teams with similar characteristics, with little room to gain.
We have one shot on goal for each team in this first half. Togo constantly control the ball but can't find a way to attack. The Congolese don't get past the halfway line, but the result is enough to keep them in contention for a direct spot in the World Cup on the final day.
The first yellow card of the match, and the first for the Democratic Republic of Congo national team. Fiston Mayele, a 31-year-old striker for Pyramids FC in Egypt, is cautioned for a defensive foul while cutting off a home team attack.
The first substitution of the match, and the first for the Democratic Republic of the Congo national team. Gedeon Kalulu comes on as a midfielder for Charles Pickel, replacing him as a midfielder due to Pickel's injury, which prevents him from continuing in the match.
Congolese player Charles Pickel was hit while fighting for the ball in the air and was being treated by the medical staff on the field. The referee took advantage of the break and allowed both teams a minute of hydration.
It's 86°F at this time in Lomé.
The pace of the match is quite slow, the visitors, with the score in their favor, aren't putting in much effort, and the home side are looking to tie the game but lack the necessary tools to create dangerous plays in attack.
Togo are looking to quickly tie the match, constantly attacking, and the Congolese are struggling to get out of their own half in search of an advantage. However, the home side has yet to get a shot on Lionel Mpasi's goal.
Despite trailing on the scoreboard, Togo has the most control of the ball at the start of the match, with 62% possession. The only shot of the match so far was the Democratic Republic of Congo's goal.
GOAAAL!
GOAL! GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL for DR Congo! A mistake in the Togolese team's exit, the ball is recovered by Fiston Mayele, who delivers a long through ball to Cédric Bakambu, who shoots powerfully with his right foot into the box.
Togo 0-1 DR Congo
GAME STARTS
The matchday nine of African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup is underway at the Stade de Kégué between Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The matchday nine of African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will determine the qualifiers from Group B.
Cape Verde refeering team
This will be the Cape Verde refereeing team for this match between Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Referee: Lenine Dos Santos Rocha
Assistant 1: Hélio Jorge Correia
Assistant 2: Wilson Jorge Delgado
Fourth referee: Fabricio Duarte Andrade
The teams take the field
Players from the Togolese and Democratic Republic of Congo national teams are now taking to the pitch at the Stade de Kégué for the ninth matchday of the African 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The national anthems of both countries are playing.
DR Congo's substitutes
16 - Dimitry Bertaud (Goalkeeper)
21 - Timothy Fayulu (Goalkeeper)
3 - Steve Kapuadi (Center Back)
5 - Gedeon Kalulu (Right Back)
12 - Joris Kayembe (Left Back)
6 - Ngal'ayel Mukau (Midfielder)
11 - Edo Kayembe (Midfielder)
10 - Theo Bongonda (Winger)
9 - Samuel Essende (Striker)
13 - Meschack Elia (Striker)
21 - Timothy Fayulu (Goalkeeper)
3 - Steve Kapuadi (Center Back)
5 - Gedeon Kalulu (Right Back)
12 - Joris Kayembe (Left Back)
6 - Ngal'ayel Mukau (Midfielder)
11 - Edo Kayembe (Midfielder)
10 - Theo Bongonda (Winger)
9 - Samuel Essende (Striker)
13 - Meschack Elia (Striker)
DR Congo's starting lineup
Togo's substitutes
16 - Abdelaziz Sambaou (Goalkeeper)
23 - Fadle Tondoro Cissé (Goalkeeper)
5 - Kennedy Boateng (Center Back)
17 - Amoudane Ouro-Ayeva (Center Back)
3 - Mawouna Amevor (Right Back)
6 - Samsindin Ouro (Midfielder)
13 - Isaac Monglo (Midfielder)
19 - David Henen (Winger)
9 - Kodjo Laba (Striker)
11 - Ismaïl Ouro-Agoro (Striker)
23 - Fadle Tondoro Cissé (Goalkeeper)
5 - Kennedy Boateng (Center Back)
17 - Amoudane Ouro-Ayeva (Center Back)
3 - Mawouna Amevor (Right Back)
6 - Samsindin Ouro (Midfielder)
13 - Isaac Monglo (Midfielder)
19 - David Henen (Winger)
9 - Kodjo Laba (Striker)
11 - Ismaïl Ouro-Agoro (Striker)
Togo's starting lineup
Democratic Republic of Congo's last five games
September 9: DR Congo 2-3 Senegal (World Cup Qualifiers)
September 5: South Sudan 1-4 DR Congo (World Cup Qualifiers)
August 17: DR Congo 1-3 Morocco (African Nations Championship)
August 14: Angola 0-2 DR Congo (African Nations Championship)
August 7: DR Congo 2-0 Zambia (African Nations Championship)
September 5: South Sudan 1-4 DR Congo (World Cup Qualifiers)
August 17: DR Congo 1-3 Morocco (African Nations Championship)
August 14: Angola 0-2 DR Congo (African Nations Championship)
August 7: DR Congo 2-0 Zambia (African Nations Championship)
Togo's last five games
September 9: Togo 1-0 Sudan (World Cup Qualifiers)
September 5: Mauritania 2-0 Togo (World Cup Qualifiers)
March 25: Senegal 2-0 Togo (World Cup Qualifiers)
March 22: Togo 2-2 Mauritania (World Cup Qualifiers)
December 22, 2024: Togo 1-1 Niger (Friendly)
September 5: Mauritania 2-0 Togo (World Cup Qualifiers)
March 25: Senegal 2-0 Togo (World Cup Qualifiers)
March 22: Togo 2-2 Mauritania (World Cup Qualifiers)
December 22, 2024: Togo 1-1 Niger (Friendly)
Matchday at the Stade de Kégué!
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Welcome back to VAVEL.com’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers matchday 9 group B: Togo vs Democratic Republic of Congo Live Updates!
My name is Miguel Niño and I will be your host for this match.
Explore more stats, standings and news on VAVEL Data: Togo · DR Congo
Have a great day!