Nightmare for Yoane Wissa in Kinshasa | OneFootball

Yoane Wissa lined up in the starting eleven for DR Congo against Senegal.

Crazy scenes on Tuesday in Kinshasa with (at least!) 80,000 packed into the stadium for this massive group match for World Cup finals qualification, many thousands of fans locked out as DR Congo looked to make all but sure of being in those 2026 finals.

A 4-1 win for DR Congo over South Sudan on Friday had meant they were in control of the group with three games left to play, Yoane Wissa getting a goal and an assist in that victory.

In their World Cup qualifying group, only the top side of six qualifies. There are nine groups in African qualifying and apart from those topping each group, only one other potentially qualifies, with the four group runners-up going into play-offs and then one of the four will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Ahead of today’s match, DR Congo leading today’s opponents by one point with three games each to play.

A perfect start for DR Congo as Bakambu gave them the lead on 26 minutes.

Then seven minutes later, Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa making it 2-0, sparking wild celebrations.

(Maybe best to watch this clip below with sound muted…)

Papa Gueye though giving Senegal hope before half-time when making it 2-1.

Eight minutes after the break and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson equalising.

DR Congo still in control of the group though and still 2-2 when Yoane Wissa was one of two substitutions as DR Congo looked to see out the draw.

The clock ticking down and then with only three minutes to go, nightmare for Yoane Wissa and his teammates, as Pape Matar Sarr grabbed a dramatic late winner.

This means that now with two rounds of games left to play, that late goal means DR Congo have gone from being hot favourites to finish top and automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, to now needing Senegal to mess up.

This is how their qualifying group now looks after eight of the ten matches played.

From a selfish Newcastle United perspective, it is simply great to see Yoane Wissa in such excellent form, scoring goals and looking very much match fit.

Hopefully we will see him take out today’s frustrations on Wolves this Saturday, when Yoane Wissa is surely set to make his Newcastle United debut.

This is the September 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 4 September

Slovakia 2 Germany 0

Nick Woltemade making his third appearance for Germany but starved of service. Germany missing many of their best players, especially creatively. Germany deservedly beaten in their opening World Cup group qualifier. Rudiger and Tah especially poor in defence.

Friday 5 September

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Bruno Guimaraes putting in a top class performance in this dominant World Cup group qualifier victory. Topping it off by scoring the third and final goal, Bruno rated man of the match. Joelinton not named in the matchday squad and it appears he has stayed in Newcastle to make sure he comes back from injury against Wolves in eight days time.

Slovenia 2 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth remained on the bench as Sweden drew their first of six World Cup group qualifying matches. Anthony Elanga with a very good performance and scored a top quality goal when running from the halfway line, playing a one-two and applying a class finish, to give Sweden the lead on 18 minutes. Having departed as part of a double substitution on 64 minutes at 1-1, Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as Sweden once again took the lead, only for heartbreak as a last gasp bit of poor defending allowed Slovenia a 90th minute equaliser.

South Sudan 1 DR Congo 4

Great news for Newcastle United and DR Congo, as Yoane Wissa looking good fitness-wise and in form. An assist and a goal, then subbed when 4-0 up to save him for Tuesday’s massive game against Senegal,, which could well decide which of the two qualifies for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Italy 5 Estonia 0

A typical quality all action display from Sandro Tonali. A match that Italy had to win and which they did very convincingly. The United midfielder one of a number of players rested once the match was won, Tonali subbed off at 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Denmark 0 Scotland 0

A first senior call up for Will Osula but the Newcastle United forward watched from the bench, as Denmark failing to score and disappointed not to win an opening World Cup group qualifying match they could and should have won.

Saturday 6 September

England 2 Andorra 0

The Newcastle United trio did themselves no harm in this tedious victory. Dan Burn probably had more touches than any other player as Andorra camped in their own half, the Newcastle defender never troubled in defence as he played the full game and was a threat at corners a couple of times, though most of the crosses were woeful. A first half own goal and a good second-half Rice header from a James cross, were the goals that earned the win. Gordon and Livramento were given the last 20 minutes and helped inject a little bit more spark and intensity, along with fellow subs Rogers and Gibbs-White.

Sunday 7 September

Germany 3 Northern Ireland 1

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark. The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead. Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland. Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Monday 8 September

Israel 4 Italy 5

What a night for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

A must win World Cup group qualifier and they did it, eventually! Italy trailing 1-0 and 2-1, then led 4-2 when reaching the 87th minute, only to then end up 4-4 in the 89th minute.

Then came the moment, Sandro Tonali coming in off the left touchline and his shot from outside the box and across the keeper into the far bottom corner! Astonishing scenes.

Kosovo 2 Sweden 0

A disastrous result that surely all but ends Sweden’s chance of finishing top of the group and qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup. With four rounds of matches left, Switzerland are five points clear of Sweden and Fabian Schar’s countrymen look nailed on to take that automatic qualification place. Kosovo went 2-0 up inside 42 minutes and Anthony Elanga not able to make enough difference. He gave it everything but was eventually replaced by a clearly far from match fit Alexander Isak on 72 minutes, Tomasson having said previously that lack of football and group training at club level in recent months meaning he couldn’t play the striker. A desperate move with 18 minutes to go to throw an ineffective and unfit Isak on anyway. Emil Krafth also coming off the bench in that second-half, picking up a yellow card, as did Alexander Isak.

Greece 0 Denmark 3

Will Osula watched on from the bench as this superb win puts Denmark in a great position to qualify for the World Cup finals next summer.

Kazakhstan Under 21s 0 England Under 21s 2

Lewis Miley helping the young three lions to a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan U 21s. First half goals from Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund ensuring the victory. The Newcastle United 19 year old midfielder eventually subbed on 76 minutes as England Under 21s coasted to the win.

Tuesday 9 September

DR Congo 2 Senegal 3

A nightmare blow for Yoane Wissa and DR Congo.

The Newcastle striker putting his side 2-0 up in this vital World Cup group qualifier, only for Senegal to come back and win 3-2 with an 87th minute winner. With two rounds of group games to go, that late goal means DR Congo have gone from favourites to win the group and go to the 2026 World Cup finals, to now needing Senegal to mess up in their last two matches.

Serbia v England (Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group qualifier