The Democratic Republic of Congo celebrated a memorable return to the World Cup on Wednesday after grinding out a 1–1 draw against Portugal, with Yoane Wissa’s composed finish cancelling out an early strike from João Neves.
Despite going behind inside the opening minutes, Sébastien Desabre’s team stayed calm and organised, refusing to be overwhelmed by the occasion or the weight of history surrounding their long absence from the tournament since 1974.
Portugal dominated large portions of the encounter and controlled possession for most of the match, but the Congolese side showed strong discipline in defence and looked dangerous on rare attacking breaks.
Wissa and Cédric Bakambu led the forward line with constant pressure on the Portuguese defence, working hard to disrupt their rhythm whenever Congo managed to push forward.
By halftime, Portugal had enjoyed overwhelming control of the ball, yet the Leopards remained compact and determined, absorbing pressure and limiting clear chances.
The draw earned DR Congo a historic milestone — their first-ever World Cup point — in a performance built on resilience, organisation, and patience against one of the tournament favourites.
