DR Congo's Yoane Wissa Scores Historic Goal Against Portugal After Acid Attack Survival

Houston. In 2021, Yoane Wissa, who nearly lost his sight, scored a goal through a header, giving DR Congo their first point in their historic World Cup comeback.

In a group stage match held in Houston, USA, Yoane Wissa made new history by scoring the first goal in the World Cup history for DR Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo). On Wednesday, he scored this goal against Portugal, considered one of the favorites in the competition.

The 29-year-old Newcastle United forward took full advantage of a corner in the fifth minute of the second half. His header directly found the net, making history for DR Congo, who returned to the World Cup after 52 years.

Earlier, in the sixth minute of the game, Joao Neves scored to give Portugal the lead. With his goal, Houston Stadium in America resonated with the cheers of Portuguese fans in red jerseys. Wissa's goal brought that lead back to a draw.

Wissa's goal was celebrated with great joy not only in the stadium but also around the world. Videos of fans from both Portugal and Congo celebrating as Wissa, one of Africa's high-profile players, achieved this historic moment, went viral on social media.

Just five years ago, Wissa could hardly have imagined such a moment. At that time, he was a victim of an acid attack, which left him seriously injured. Due to chemical burns, he even had to undergo emergency surgery on his eyes.

On July 1, 2021, when Wissa opened his door, a woman attempted to abduct his daughter and splashed acid on his face. The attacker also attacked another woman with acid the next day, and her identity was revealed on July 3.

Although facing a possible life sentence, she was sentenced to 18 years in prison in January 2025.

It took Wissa six months to recover from the attack. Although the incident deeply affected him, he was determined to continue his football career with the French professional football club FC Lorient.

'Although physically and mentally greatly affected, Yoane showed determination to succeed quickly,' Lorient manager Christophe Pélissier, who reached the hospital the day after the attack, told the BBC last year.

'His strong willpower and never-give-up attitude truly impressed me.'

Pierre-Yves Hamel, who played with Wissa at Lorient, also praised him highly.

'He never complained after the attack,' Hamel said. 'He wanted to move forward immediately, and the success he has achieved today is a fitting reward for his efforts.'

'Once Yoane sets his mind to something, he puts his whole effort into it, no matter how long it takes to achieve it.'

These words hold even deeper meaning as Wissa became a hero for his nation when Congo held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in Houston.

Earlier, Neves' goal also carried its own separate emotions. Portuguese players have been carrying the memory of their late teammate Diogo Jota with them throughout the tournament.

Jota, who lost his life along with his brother in a car accident last summer, was honored on the stadium screen before the first match of Group K, with his parents also present. The team players wore wristbands with Jota's name on them.

• Lifelong trauma, inability to sleep

Wissa gave an emotional statement in court during the hearing of his attacker, identified as 36-year-old Leticia P. in France.

He recounted the incident where liquid was splashed on his face and his wife called emergency services. On the phone, he was advised to immediately go under the shower and wash his eyes.

'At the hospital, they told me my eyes were burnt. Every hour, someone had to come and wash my eyes. It was like a terrible nightmare,' he said during the court hearing, as quoted by ESPN UK.

'Since then, every time I hear a sound, I panic. Only the fact that my children are safe kept me going. Both my eyes were operated on, and the doctor told me I would have to use eye drops for life. It took me six months for my vision to fully return.

'If I hadn't received treatment so quickly, the situation could have been even more dire.'

A month after the incident, while still recovering, Wissa joined Brentford on a four-year contract. He also opened up about the lifelong psychological trauma he endured.

'Since then, I have started to isolate myself. I don't like being among strangers,' he said.

'Nowadays, I can't express affection as much as before, and I find myself looking back unintentionally while walking on the street. If I'm alone at night, I can't sleep.

'My children often ask – Dad, what happened to your face? But they are too young to be told about the incident. I was also offered facial surgery, but I refused. Because it has become a part of my life.

'My wife and I had to seek counseling from a psychologist, and she suffered from depression. No one knows what is written in whose destiny.'