Yoane Wissa scored DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal as the Newcastle United forward helped the Leopards earn a 1-1 draw with Portugal in Houston on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old started his country’s Group K opener at the NRG Stadium and responded to Joao Neves’ early Portugal goal with a superb header on the stroke of half-time.
It was a landmark Newcastle United moment on the international stage, with Wissa making history on his 38th DR Congo appearance as the Leopards returned to the World Cup finals for the first time in 52 years.
Wissa gives Newcastle fans a World Cup moment to savour
Newcastle’s official update confirmed Wissa played the full 90 minutes and that DR Congo left the match feeling they may have deserved more than a point, after a fresh update from Newcastle United.
For Eddie Howe, it is another useful summer marker from a forward who carries significant responsibility after an uneven club campaign. Wissa’s movement between centre-backs, timing in the box and ability to deliver in a major tournament setting will not have gone unnoticed on Tyneside.
The draw also keeps DR Congo alive in Group K before they face Colombia at Estadio Akron on Wednesday, 24 June, with kick-off listed for 3am BST. Their final group game follows against Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, 28 June.
Wissa is one of several Newcastle players involved at the tournament, and supporters can track the wider Magpies schedule in ReadNewcastle’s World Cup TV guide.
