Wissa bursting with pride after brace as D.R. Congo reach knockouts for first time

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle[/a] striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wissa-yoane/b35gWzB2/"]Wissa[/a] scored twice [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/d-r-congo-phn9mm8H/uzbekistan-EZYKKRMc/?mid=hEWfCwid"]in a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan[/a] to give the African side their first-ever World Cup win and set up a meeting with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] in the last 32.[/p][p]Eastern Congo has been plagued for three decades by conflict involving a litany of armed groups.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/d-r-congo/phn9mm8H/"]D.R. Congo[/a] is also fighting an Ebola outbreak that has claimed more than 300 lives.[/p][p]But backed by thousands from the Congolese diaspora in Atlanta, the Leopards roared back from a goal down on Saturday to make history.[/p][p][b]"We are a proud country. We are proud people. We love our country. We love our national team. We love what we represent!"[/b] Wissa told reporters.[/p][p][b]"I think tonight we just showed what it means for us is just to fight no matter what.[/b][/p][p][b]"It's not easy in our country. There's a war in East Congo. Every day, every time we wear this shirt, we think about them.[/b][/p][p]"That's why tonight, what we show is just to say that guys, no matter what, we need to keep going.[/p][p][b]"Because we want peace and for them, I just say 'thank you'. Thank you because we came from far. We came from nothing to be here. Now we write our story with a black pen, and we need to be proud."[/b][/p][embed guid="2582e403-abb1-4041-9fef-3edef543811f" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2071044177513595221" social-type="twitter" /][p]Wissa's double took his tally for the tournament to three goals after also netting in an impressive 1-1 draw against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Cristiano Ronaldo[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a].[/p][p]The 29-year-old struggled for form and fitness following a £55 million move from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brentford/xYe7DwID/"]Brentford[/a] in September and said his recovery made goals on the global stage all the sweeter.[/p][p][b]"That's why I'm even prouder than everyone else in this room,"[/b] Wissa told AFP on his battle with injuries during his first season on Tyneside.[/p][p][b]"I didn't show my best face at Newcastle, but I knew that my time would come.[/b][/p][p][b]"This time is now. I just show to everyone now I'm in a good place. I'm good physically, I'm good mentally. So that's why I'm proud today to show that I'm a good player."[/b][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/d-r-congo-phn9mm8H/england-j9N9ZNFA/?mid=nkoQVAgB"]Next up is a clash with England[/a], who remain among the favourites for the competition despite an unconvincing start to their quest to win a first major tournament in 60 years.[/p][p][b]"I'm happy with what we accomplished. Now there's another path waiting for us. A big beast is waiting for us,"[/b] added Wissa.[/p][p][b]"We need to enjoy this kind of game. We deserve to play against England, one of the best in the world. I'm looking forward to what's coming next."[/b][/p]