Who Is Yoane Wissa? Newcastle Forward Who Scored First Goal Of Congo For FIFA World Cup

Yoane Wissa carved his name into football history with a moment that will be remembered for generations, scoring DR Congo's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Portugal. The landmark strike came deep into first-half stoppage time in their Group K opener at Houston Stadium, as Wissa rose unmarked to head home and cancel out João Neves' early goal.

The significance of the moment extended far beyond the scoreboard. It ended a 52-year wait for DR Congo, whose only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974 when they competed as Zaire and failed to score a single goal. For decades, that statistic stood as a painful reminder of missed opportunities on football's biggest stage.

Wissa's equaliser not only rewrote that narrative but also symbolised a new chapter for the nation's footballing identity. Against a dominant Portugal side, DR Congo showed resilience and belief, with their historic goal serving as a reward for disciplined defending and persistence.

In one decisive header, Wissa transformed a long-standing record into a moment of pride, ensuring DR Congo's name is finally etched on the World Cup scoresheet.

The Journey Of Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa's journey to the top of world football is a story of persistence, growth, and perfectly timed breakthroughs. Now a forward for Newcastle United in the Premier League, Wissa has steadily climbed the ranks from France's lower divisions to the biggest stages in club and international football.

His career began at LB Châteauroux, where he made his senior debut in 2015 in France's third tier. Early spells at Angers and AC Ajaccio offered limited impact, but his move to FC Lorient in 2018 proved to be a turning point. During the 2019-20 season, Wissa scored 15 goals to power Lorient to the Ligue 2 title and promotion to the top flight.

A move to Brentford in 2021 brought him into the Premier League spotlight. Over four seasons, he developed into a reliable attacking force, scoring 49 goals in 149 appearances. His standout 2024-25 campaign saw him net 19 league goals, all from open play, surpassing Ivan Toney to become Brentford's all-time Premier League top scorer.

In September 2025, Wissa secured a high-profile £55 million transfer to Newcastle United. He made an immediate impact, becoming the club's 1,000th league player on debut against Burnley and later scoring his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.

From humble beginnings to historic milestones, Wissa's rise reflects both consistency and the ability to seize defining moments, qualities that continue to shape his growing legacy.