Yoane Wissa: Congo’s hero against Portugal, who once survived an acid attack
The 29-year-old Newcastle United striker scored the equaliser for Democratic Republic of Congo against Portugal in the Group K match in FIFA World Cup at Houston
Congo's Yoane Wissa, center, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Yoane Wissa scored Congo’s first World Cup goal in 52 years on Wednesday in Houston. His stoppage-time header gave the Democratic Republic of Congo a 1-1 draw against Portugal, their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Joao Neves had given Portugal the lead in the sixth minute.
Four years ago, Wissa nearly lost his sight.
In August 2021, days before he was set to join Brentford from Lorient for £8.5 million, a woman later identified as Laetitia P posed as a fan seeking his autograph at his home in Lorient. She threw acid on his face. His family were present. It was later reported that she had also tried to kidnap his daughter. Laetitia P was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Congo’s Yoane Wissa (20) scores his side’s first goal against Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Wissa gave testimony at the trial in Vannes, Brittany, as reported by The Sun. “I opened a door, and had liquid thrown in my face. I screamed and could not breathe. My wife called the emergency services, and they told me to get under the shower to rinse my eyes. At the hospital they told me my eyes were burned. Someone had to come and rinse them out every hour. It has been a nightmare. Since then I panic every time I hear a noise, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing my children are safe. I had surgery on both eyes, and the doctor told me I will need to use eye drops for the rest of my life.”
The move to Brentford was delayed by six months. “Had I not been treated so quickly, the consequences would have been far worse,” Wissa told the court, again as reported by The Sun. “The days afterwards were traumatic for me. I know I will never feel the same as I used to. This hugely delayed my move to Brentford. I missed their pre-season, and when I arrived the manager Thomas Frank said he had already drawn up his first team. He sympathised with me, and gave me time to adapt. After the attack I reacted like a father more than a footballer, and told myself at least my kids are unharmed even though I am blind. Since that time I have become withdrawn. I can no longer tolerate being around people I don’t know. My kids often ask me what I have done to my face, but they are too young for me to tell them what happened. I have been offered an operation. But I have refused, as this is part of my personal history.”
Christophe Pelissier, his manager at Lorient at the time, visited him in hospital. “Even though he was physically and mentally affected, Yoane quickly showed his determination to succeed. What struck me about him was his strong will and how he never gave up,” Pelissier told BBC.
Wissa joined Brentford in September 2021, a month after the attack. He made 149 appearances for the club over four seasons, scoring 49 goals, before moving to Newcastle United in a deal reported to be close to £55 million. He has struggled with a recurring knee injury at Newcastle, making 13 Premier League appearances with one goal, on his first start against Fulham, wearing the number nine shirt previously worn by Alan Shearer.
After that match, Shearer had sent him a message. “I received a text from him before the match, he wished me the best of luck because he knew I was going to start,” Wissa told BBC Radio. “It is something special. I know the number nine shirt is the best one here, so I just need to enjoy that.”
On Wednesday in Houston, wearing the number nine shirt for Congo, he headed home in stoppage time and made history.
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