The Democratic Republic of Congo have made a memorable return to the FIFA World Cup stage, earning a 1-1 draw against Portugal in a spirited performance on Wednesday.
Yoane Wissa was the hero for the Leopards, scoring a well-taken equaliser after João Neves had given Portugal an early lead with a first-half header.
The result marked a historic moment for the Congolese side, as it was their first-ever point at a World Cup tournament, ending a wait of more than five decades since their last appearance.
Facing one of the tournament favourites, Portugal, and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, DR Congo were largely on the defensive but showed strong organisation and resilience throughout the match.
Portugal dominated possession, controlling much of the first half, while DR Congo stayed compact and relied on quick counter-attacks through Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu to relieve pressure.
Even after conceding early, Sebastien Desabre’s side remained disciplined and refused to be overwhelmed by the Portuguese attack.
When opportunities came, the Leopards showed intent going forward, making the most of limited possession to stay competitive in the game.
The result carries emotional significance, ending a 52-year absence from the World Cup and moving past the painful memory of Zaire’s difficult 1974 campaign in West Germany.
