Before Colombia finally found a breakthrough against DR Congo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one man stood between them and an early lead.
His name is Lionel Mpasi.
For much of the Group K clash in Guadalajara, the DR Congo goalkeeper produced a stunning display of shot-stopping that frustrated one of South America’s most dangerous attacking sides. Colombia dominated possession, created chances and piled pressure on the Congolese defence, but time and again Mpasi came to the rescue.
Within the opening 20 minutes alone, the 31-year-old made five saves, denying Colombia’s stars with a series of reflex stops. He tipped away a powerful header from Daniel Muñoz, blocked a close-range effort from Luis Díaz and repeatedly threw himself in the path of Colombian attacks.
The performance placed Mpasi in the World Cup record books. According to FIFA statistics, he became the first goalkeeper since Jamaica’s Warren Barrett in 1998 to make at least five saves in the opening 20 minutes of a World Cup match.
Even when Colombia thought they had scored, Mpasi was at the centre of the action. A rebound from one of his saves found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out because Muñoz had been offside in the build-up.
Although Colombia eventually secured a 1-0 victory through Muñoz’s 76th-minute strike, the scoreline did little justice to the resistance offered by the Congolese goalkeeper.
From France to the World Cup
Born in Meaux, France, on August 1, 1994, Lionel Mpasi-Nzau represents the modern generation of African footballers with roots spanning continents.
Despite being born and raised in France, Mpasi chose to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo, the homeland of his family. The decision connected him to a footballing nation eager to re-establish itself on the global stage.
His club career has been built largely in France. After progressing through the youth ranks, Mpasi developed into a reliable professional goalkeeper and currently plays for Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC.
Known for his strong reflexes, command of the penalty area and calmness under pressure, Mpasi gradually earned recognition as one of DR Congo’s most dependable players.
Congo’s last line of defence
DR Congo arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament’s underdogs.
Ranked 47th in the world, the Leopards were making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Their preparations were also disrupted by an Ebola outbreak, making expectations even more modest.
Yet Mpasi has emerged as one of the stories of the tournament.
In the opening match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, DR Congo earned a surprising 1-1 draw. Against Colombia, Mpasi almost delivered another memorable result through his goalkeeping heroics.
As Colombia attacked wave after wave, he remained composed, turning away efforts from some of South America’s finest attackers and giving his teammates the belief that an upset was possible.