Yoane Wissa stuns Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal with late equaliser — DR Congo's first World Cup goal

Who: Yoane Wissa and DR Congo. What: a late first-half header that levelled the score 1-1 against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. When: Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 17 June 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston. Why it matters: Wissa’s strike is the first World Cup goal for DR Congo in the modern era and it earned the Leopards a priceless point against heavy favourites Portugal.

How the game unfolded

Portugal took an early lead in Houston when Pedro Neto’s cross found João Neves, who arrived from deep to head home in the sixth minute. Portugal controlled possession and fashioned several openings thereafter, but deep into first-half stoppage time the balance shifted. A short-corner routine for DR Congo saw Arthur Masuaku drift inside from the right and deliver a pinpoint cross into the 18-yard box. Yoane Wissa rose above his marker, Tomas Araújo, and powered a header past the goalkeeper to level the match.

The historic significance

Wissa’s header produced what the sources describe as the first-ever World Cup goal for DR Congo in the modern era. Although the nation previously participated in the 1974 tournament under the name Zaire, that side left the group stage without scoring. The equaliser in Houston therefore represents a landmark moment for DR Congo football and triggered jubilant celebrations among the supporters present at NRG Stadium.

Wissa’s background and club form

Yoane Wissa arrives at the World Cup with Premier League experience. After strong seasons for Brentford, he joined Newcastle United for a reported €57.70 million. The sources note Wissa scored three goals in his debut season with Newcastle, but his header for DR Congo now gives him an even bigger moment on the international stage.

Statistically, Opta — via OptaJoe — highlights that Wissa is the first player who was at a Premier League club to score a nation’s first-ever World Cup goal since Tim Cahill did so for Australia in 2006. That comparison underlines how rare and notable the achievement is for both the player and his country.

Group and tournament context

The match was Group K’s opening fixture for both sides on Matchday 1. The draw leaves Portugal and DR Congo level on one point after the 1-1 final score recorded at NRG Stadium. Portugal will assess the draw as a frustrating result given their early control, while DR Congo will take encouragement from a historic night and a valuable point against one of the tournament favourites.

• Final score: Portugal 1–1 DR Congo (Matchday 1, FIFA World Cup, NRG Stadium)
• Portugal opened the scoring in the 6th minute via João Neves from a Pedro Neto cross
• Yoane Wissa equalised with a header in late first-half stoppage time following a short-corner routine and Arthur Masuaku assist
• Wissa’s goal is DR Congo’s first World Cup goal in the modern era; the nation previously appeared as Zaire in 1974
• Wissa joined Newcastle United from Brentford for a reported €57.70 million and scored three goals in his debut season with the club
• According to OptaJoe, Wissa is the first player representing a Premier League club to score a nation's inaugural World Cup goal since Tim Cahill in 2006

Tactical note: set-piece craft and execution

The equaliser stemmed from a rehearsed short-corner move rather than open-play build-up, highlighting DR Congo’s planning for dead-ball situations. Arthur Masuaku’s decision to drift inside and deliver a cross to the near post area created the space Wissa needed to attack the ball. For Portugal, the goal will underline a vulnerability to well-executed set-piece routines even when they dominate possession.

What it means and what comes next

A point in Matchday 1 changes the immediate calculations for both teams in Group K. Portugal will seek to regroup and bounce back in their remaining group fixtures, while DR Congo can build on the confidence of scoring at the World Cup and use the result as a platform in the group stage. The draw keeps both teams alive in the early tournament picture and gives neutrals a reminder that established reputations do not guarantee easy matches at the World Cup.