Defender Axel Tuanzebe said the Democratic Republic of the Congo feel they let slip a chance to make history in the 2-1 loss to England in the World Cup last 32.
Congo, in only their second men's World Cup, followed a strong group stage by taking a shock early lead against England through Brian Cipenga.
Yoane Wissa then hit the post as the underdogs threatened to go 2-0 up, but Three Lions skipper Harry Kane scored twice in the second half to set up a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico.
"Ultimately we're kicking ourselves more so because we felt we should've definitely held out the game," Tuanzebe, who grew up in England, told the BBC.
"We probably should've finished it in the first half as well but it was unfortunate it was not meant to be for us today."
He says the World Cup has not seen the last of the Leopards after they narrowly missed out on a first knock-out stage win.
"But we'll look on this and think how we can build for future tournaments," the Burnley and former Manchester United player added.
"I think we'll definitely learn from this and continue attacking the game, especially early on because having to defend wave of attack after attack against this calibre of players, they will prevail and they did so today."
