18.06.2026 09:10
The Democratic Republic of the Congo earned their first goal and first point in tournament history by drawing 1-1 with Portugal in the 2026 World Cup. Images of a handful of Congolese fans celebrating the historic goal among thousands of Portuguese supporters in Lisbon made headlines worldwide.
One of the most remarkable stories in football at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The African representative, which had not experienced the joy of scoring in its previous World Cup campaign, scored its first goal in tournament history and earned its first point against Portugal.
In the match played in Houston, Portugal took the lead in the 6th minute with a goal from Joao Neves. Democratic Republic of Congo equalized in the 45+5th minute with a goal from Yoane Wissa, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
CELEBRATION THAT CAUGHT THE WORLD'S ATTENTION
The historic goal of the Democratic Republic of Congo sparked great joy not only on the field but also thousands of kilometers away. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, hosted thousands of Portuguese fans at the famous Praça do Comércio, where giant screens were set up to follow the match.
After the equalizing goal of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the joy of the few Congolese fans in the square became one of the most striking images of the night. A handful of fans celebrated the historic goal wholeheartedly among thousands of Portuguese. Those moments quickly began to be shared around the world.
FOOTBALL FANS POURED IN COMMENTS
The resulting images received numerous comments from football fans. Some users remarked, "This is the beauty of football" and "The romance of football still lives," while others noted the calm demeanor shown by the Portuguese fans.
In particular, the way a small group of fans celebrated the end of 52 years of longing with such enthusiasm was highlighted as one of the most emotional moments of the World Cup.
A HISTORIC DRAW
The 1 point earned against Portugal meant much more than just a draw for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The African representative scored its first goal and earned its first point in World Cup history in the same match, creating an unforgettable night for the country's football.