Whenever Congo's national team scores a goal like it did against Portugal in Houston, the players gather and dance in unison, a tradition it has used for a decade.

Yoanne Wissa's dramatic equalizer against Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2026 marked DR Congo's first-ever goal in the tournament, ending a 52-year drought. Five years prior, Wissa faced a life-threatening acid attack.

Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo. Joao Neves gave them an early lead in the 6th minute, but Yoane Wissa equalised deep into first-half stoppage time with a header. Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game as Portugal failed to find a winner despite late attacking.

Joao Neves opens the scoring for Portugal with early goal but Yoane Wissa equalises in first-half injury time.

Yoane Wissa scored DR Congo's first-ever World Cup goal to salvage a shock 1-1 draw with Portugal in their World Cup opener in Houston Stadium.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s first-ever World Cup point on Wednesday gave their compatriots in Bunia, the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak, a rare chance to celebrate. Yoane Wissa’s goal in Houston — also a first in his nation’s short World Cup history — secured a point against a star-studded Portugal side that included all-time great Cristiano Ronaldo.