GUADALAJARA, Mexico, March 31 (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo grabbed the second-last available berth at the World Cup finals by beating Jamaica 1-0 in their inter-confederation playoff on Tuesday with Axel Tuanzebe netting an extra-time winner to see them return to the finals after a 52-year wait.
The former England under-21 international bundled the ball over the line from a corner in the 100th minute but had to wait for more than minute while it was checked for a possible handball before being confirmed as a goal.
It was as much as the Congolese deserved, having dominated proceedings in a fast-flowing match without many clear-cut chances at Estadio Guadalajara, which will be one of the three Mexican venues for the World Cup.
It is the second time DR Congo have qualified for the finals, more than half a century after their initial appearance in 1974 when the country was known as Zaire.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
