Lionel Mpasi

ANALYSIS
Mpasi delivered the performance of the match in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Colombia, making eight saves across 90 minutes against a Colombian attack that generated the majority of the match's chances, with his best stop a brilliant fingertip save to deny Luis Diaz from close range in the second half when the Colombian winger appeared certain to score. The goalkeeper was ultimately beaten only by Daniel Munoz's near-post drive in the 76th minute from a tight angle after Juan Quintero's precise pass, with Mpasi's outstanding display keeping DR Congo competitive in a match his side might otherwise have lost by a far heavier margin. His shot-stopping ability, composure under sustained pressure and command of his area make him DR Congo's most important individual player at this tournament, and his performances across two group games have established him as one of the outstanding goalkeepers of the 2026 World Cup group stage.