Fifty-two years, three days and one Wissa's header that made history - and Ronaldo miserable!
Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 17.06.26. | 21:59
DR Congo's World Cup history was rewritten in Houston as Yoane Wissa stunned Portugal with a moment generations had waited to witness (1-1)
It took the Leopards precisely 52 years and three days to score their maiden World Cup goal after they made their WC debut in Germany in 1974, but let's be honest - it was worth waiting that long!
Yoane Wissa's impeccable header in the fifth minute of the first-half stoppage time against Portugal this Wednesday will go down in history, not just because of its beauty, or the fact he scored it against one of the most renowned national teams in the world. It's history that has been written in Houston, as DR Congo clinched a much-deserved, hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the opening game of Group K.
Sebastien Desabre's men have had an incredible, miraculous run in the last couple of months to book a World Cup ticket. First, they topped Nigeria in the penalty shootout of that dramatic African playoffs before defeating Jamaica in extra time of the intercontinental playoffs (1-0). Unfortunately, due to a devastating Ebola outbreak, the Leopards couldn't have a proper farewell party at home before taking off to the USA, but here and now, when it mattered the most, they made sure to shine like brightest stars inspired by the massive support of their people.
Despite the agonising start, conceding after just six minutes from Joao Neves' superb header, the Congolese men didn't succumb to despair, but bounced back almost instantly. Sure, Portugal have one of the most stunning midfields in the history of the game, but the World Cup is not about names and stars. Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva do have an unprecedented quality and set of skills, which resulted in almost 80% possession and 489 passes (four times as many as DR Congo) before the break.
Alas, the African side had more shots, a better xG and most importantly... they were level at half time (1-1).
The Leopards were outrageously brave and got their deserved award deep in the stoppage time. The Newcastle United forward found himself completely unmarked in the opposite box, jumped sky high and notched it under the crossbar for a brilliant equaliser.
🇨🇩 Wissa delivers the World Cup goal ever for DR Congo, historical moment for the country.🔥 pic.twitter.com/wI67e1fZdb
— Samuel Kiboko11🇨🇩🇺🇸 (@Samuelkiboko11) June 17, 2026
Portugal, on the other hand, seems like a team with a huge, sky-high ceiling, but struggles strategically because of reliance on one man. No doubt Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers ever, but at 41, despite his unbelievable desire and determination, he seems to impede Portugal's tactical flexibility. Playing as a (false) 9, Ronaldo made several promising runs, but his finishing lacked the sharpness required for international competition. Desabre recognised this tactical flaw, instructing Wan-Bissaka and the rest of the Leopards’ defence to focus on cutting supply lines to Ronaldo and pressuring him intensely whenever he received the ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo has 2 G/A in his last 11 matches in major international tournaments. pic.twitter.com/ZHAdy6fL1m
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) June 17, 2026
Roberto Martinez surely expected his side to improve following the half-time break, but instead - we saw a lukewarm Portugal, unable to impose their gameplan, not causing almost any damage to the Leopards' backline. It was a stalemate with no chance of topping the African underdogs, who tactically dismantled the favourites to win a point. Goncalo Ramos came on too late, but just as Rafael Leao before him, he didn't have a single shot on target, as hundreds of Congolese fans in the stands celebrated this historic result.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
Monday, 15.06.
Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)
/Diallo 90/
Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)
/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/
Spain - Cabo Verde 0-0
Belgium - Egypt 1-1 (0-1)
/Hany 66 og - Ashour 20/
Tuesday 16.06.
Saudi Arabia- Uruguay 1-1 (1-0)
/Amri 41 - Araujo 80/
Iran - New Zealand 2-2 (1-1)
/Ramin 33,Mohebi, 64- Just, 7,54/
France - Senegal 3-1 (0-0)
/Mbappe 66, 90+6 Barcola 82 - Mbaye 90+5/
Wednesday
Iraq - Norway 1-3 (1-2)
/Hussein 39 - Haaland 29, 43 Ostigard 76/
Argentina - Algeria 3-0 (1-0)
/Messi 17, 60, 76/
Austria - Jordan 3-1 (1-0)
/Schmid 21, Al-Arab 76 og, Arnautovic 90+12 pen - Olwan 50/
Portugal - DR Congo 1-1 (1-1)
/Neves 6 - Wissa 45+5/
23.00: (1.75) England (3.90) Croatia (5.00)
Thursday
02.00: (2.25) Ghana (3.20) Panama (3.40)
05.00: (8.50) Uzbekistan (4.50) Colombia (1.42)
19.00: (1.80) Czech R. (3.50) S.Africa (4.70)
22.00: (1.65) Switzerland (3.60) B&H (5.80)
***odds are subject to change***