Yoani Wessa made history for the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he scored the team’s first World Cup goal in the group stage. A match against one of the tournament favourites, Portugalin Houston.
The 29-year-old Newcastle United striker made the most of a corner kick five minutes into the second half of the match on Wednesday, as his header found the back of the net – and made history – as the Democratic Republic of Congo returned to the World Cup after 52 years.
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The goal was equalized after Joao Neves scored for Portugal in the sixth minute, causing the fans, who turned Houston Stadium in the United States into a sea of red, in loud celebrations.
Wessa’s goal was also celebrated on the field and around the world as social media users shared videos of Portuguese and Congolese fans celebrating the historic moment from one of Africa’s most prominent players.
Five years ago, Wissa may have never dreamed of this moment as he recovered from an acid attack that left him seriously injured and needing emergency surgery on his eye after suffering severe chemical burns.
On July 1, 2021, Wissa opened the door of his house to a woman who tried to kidnap his daughter and threw acid in his face. The assailant also attacked a woman with acid the next day and was identified on 3 July.
She was sentenced to 18 years in prison in January 2025 after facing the possibility of life in prison.
It took Wissa six months to recover from the assault which left him shaken but determined to continue his career while playing professional football in France for FC Lorient.
Lorient coach Christophe Pélissier, who visited the striker in hospital the day after the attack, told the BBC last year: “Despite being affected physically and mentally, Yoann quickly showed his determination to succeed.”
“What amazed me about him was his strong will and how he never gave up.”
Pierre-Yves Hamel, who played alongside Wissa at Lorient, also praised him.
Hamel told the BBC: “After the attack, he never complained.” “He immediately wanted to move on, and today’s prosperity is a just reward for his efforts.
“Once Yoane has an idea in mind, he will do his best to make it happen – no matter how long it takes.”
These words carry a much deeper meaning after Wissa became his country’s World Cup talisman when Congo tied with Portugal 1-1 in Houston.
Earlier, Neves’ goal came with a set of special emotions, with the Portuguese Memory bearing To their late colleague Diogo Jota during the tournament.
Jota who He died in a car accident He was honored with his brother last summer on stadium screens before the opening Group K match in the presence of their parents. The team wore bracelets bearing Jota’s name.
Lifelong trauma and inability to sleep
Wessa gave emotional testimony in court as his attacker, identified as 36-year-old Letitia B, was on trial in France.
He recounted how liquid was thrown in his face and his wife called emergency services, who told him to shower and rinse his eyes.
“At the hospital, they told me my eyes were burned. Someone had to come and wash them every hour. It was a nightmare,” he said during the court hearing, according to ESPN UK.
“Since then, I panicked every time I heard a noise, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing that my children were safe. I had surgery on both eyes, and the doctor told me I would need to use eye drops for the rest of my life. It took six months before I got my full sight back.
“If I had not been treated so quickly, the consequences could have been much worse.”
Wesa, who eventually joined Brentford on a four-year contract a month after the accident while still recovering, revealed the psychological trauma he endured throughout his life.
“Since then, I have become isolated,” he said. “I can no longer bear to be around people I don’t know.”
“I no longer express as much love as I used to, and when I walk, I instinctively look back. At night, I can no longer sleep if I’m alone.
“My children often ask me what I did to my face, but they are too young for me to tell them what happened. I was offered surgery, but I refused, because this is part of my personal history.
“My wife and I had to see a psychiatrist, and she was suffering from depression. You never know what’s in store for you.”
