Yoane Wissa scores first World Cup goal for DR Congo

Yoane Wissa etched his name into football history by becoming the first DR Congo player to score at a World Cup. His 50th-minute header in the Group K opener against Portugal in Houston on June 17 gave the African nation its first goal after a 52-year wait since last appearing at the tournament in 1974.

The 29-year-old Newcastle United striker capitalized on a corner kick delivery to head past the goalkeeper, securing a valuable equalizer for DR Congo. Joao Neves had earlier put Portugal ahead in the sixth minute, sending the red-shirted fans in the Houston stadium into ecstatic celebration.

Wissa's goal was celebrated not only in the stands but also across the world, with fans from both sides sharing the historic moment on social media. It ranks among the most standout African moments at this year's tournament, intertwined with Wissa's remarkable story of resilience.

Five years ago, Wissa could hardly have dreamed of such a moment as he recovered from an acid attack that left him severely injured and requiring emergency eye surgery. On July 1, 2021, Wissa opened his door and had acid thrown in his face by a woman who had attempted to kidnap his daughter. The assailant repeated the attack on another woman the next day and was identified on July 3.

The perpetrator was sentenced to 18 years in prison in January 2025, though she originally faced a life sentence. Wissa spent six months recovering from the attack, but he remained determined to continue his career while playing professionally in France for FC Lorient.

Lorient manager at the time, Christophe Pelissier, visited him in hospital and shared: “Though he was affected both physically and mentally, Yoane quickly showed a determination to succeed. What impressed me most was his strong will and that he never gave up.”

Former teammate Pierre-Yves Hamel also praised him: “After the attack, he never complained. He immediately wanted to move forward, and his shining moment today is a deserved reward for his efforts. Once Yoane sets his mind to something, he will do whatever it takes to make it happen, no matter how long it takes.”

Those words resonated even more deeply as Wissa became the nation's hero at the World Cup, with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Houston. On the opposite side, Neves' goal was also emotionally charged as Portugal's players carried memories of their late teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash alongside his brother last summer. The stadium screen showed Jota being honored, with his parents in the stands, while players wore armbands bearing his name.

Wissa gave an emotional testimony in court when the attacker, identified as Laetitia P, 36, stood trial in France. He recounted the moment liquid was thrown in his face and his wife called emergency services, instructing him to shower and rinse his eyes. “At the hospital, they said my eyes had been burned. Every hour someone had to come and rinse my eyes. It was a nightmare,” Wissa said during the hearing.

“Since then, I panic every time I hear a loud noise, and the only thing keeping me going is knowing my children are safe. I've had surgery on both eyes, and doctors say I'll need eye drops for life. It took six months to fully regain my vision. Without timely treatment, the consequences would have been far worse.”

Wissa, who joined Brentford on a four-year deal just a month after the incident while still recovering, revealed lifelong psychological scars: “From that moment, I became withdrawn. I can't stand being near people I don't know. I don't show affection as much as before, and when I walk, I instinctively look behind me. At night, I can't sleep if I'm alone.”

“My children often ask what happened to my face, but they're too young for me to tell them. I was offered cosmetic surgery, but I refused because it's part of my personal history. My wife and I had to see a psychologist, and she suffered from depression. You never know what fate has in store for you.”