The Democratic Republic of Congo ended a 52-year wait to return to the FIFA World Cup by earning a 1-1 draw with Portugal on Wednesday, Yoane Wissa’s equaliser denying Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. a victory. João Neves opened the scoring with a sixth-minute header before Wissa cancelled it out just before half time, securing the Leopards’ first-ever point at a World Cup.
Arthur Masuaku supplied the levelling cross from the right, and Wissa rose above the Portuguese defence, turning a header beyond goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The goal came at what the report described as a “perfect” time to score, just before the interval.
Portugal dominated possession in the opening stages, registering 80 percent of the ball by half time and applying sustained pressure that forced DR Congo to defend deep and remain compact. Despite that, the Leopards showed intent when in possession, attempting three times as many shots as Portugal in the first half and ending the match with eight successful dribbles to Portugal’s four.
The match also highlighted the structure and belief instilled by coach Sebastien Desabre. The report noted Desabre has combined control and organisation with the flair that has long characterised Congolese football. He retained faith in players returning from difficult club seasons; Masuaku and Wissa combined for the team’s landmark goal.
The result offered a measure of redemption against the long shadow of 1974, when the Zaire team endured a calamitous World Cup campaign that included a 9-0 defeat by Yugoslavia and the infamous incident involving Mwepu Ilunga and a Brazilian free kick. The current squad avoided a repeat of those ignominies and instead produced a disciplined performance to frustrate one of the tournament favourites.
Wissa acknowledged the weight on Congo’s shoulders before the match, saying the side would meet Portugal “with [their] heads held high” and that they would “take every minute at a time, and stay positive.” The Leopards’ draw with Portugal marked a notable step in their return to the world stage.
