Wissa is the first Premier League player in 20 years to score his country’s first goal at the World Cup. | Photo Credit: AFP

Yoane Wissa scored a history-making goal for DR Congo against Portugal in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match in Houston on Wednesday.

This was Congo’s first goal at the football showpiece event. The side last participated in 1974, as Zaire, and did not score a single goal in that edition.

The striker connected with a cross from the right wing in the six-yard box and put the ball into the top-left corner.

Wissa plays for Premier League side Newcastle United and scored just one goal in 19 appearances last season. However, he made a name for himself at Brentford, scoring 49 goals and setting up another 13 in 149 appearances under manager Thomas Frank.

Before his time in England, Wissa played for French side Lorient and won the Ligue 2 in 2019/20. He scored 15 goals and made four assists in that season.

He carried the form into the French top flight, scoring 10 goals and making four assists in Ligue 1. He was then signed by Brentford.

His Congo debut came in 2020. Before the start of the game on Wednesday, Wissa had scored nine goals in 39 appearances for the Leopards.

Published on Jun 17, 2026