Larry Madowo reacts to uncanny resemblance to DR Congo star who scored historic goal against Portugal
By Ascah Mwango, June 18, 2026CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo has hilariously addressed his striking physical resemblance to Democratic Republic of Congo national football player Yoane Wissa.
The media personality sparked a wave of lighthearted reactions on Thursday evening, June 18, 2026, less than 24 hours after Wissa scored a historic equalizer during a high-stakes World Cup match against Portugal in Houston, Texas.
Capitalizing on the viral chatter surrounding their lookalike features, Madowo jokingly confessed to his followers that his online absence was due to an athletic double life.
Taking to his official social media handles, Madowo shared his amusement regarding the uncanny comparison that had many fans doing a double take during the match broadcast.
“My secret is out: I’ve been moonlighting as a DRC football player,” Madowo joked.
“Humbled to formally announce my side hustle using the alter ego Yoane Wissa. Thanks for all your support after my first goal at the World Cup.”
The lighthearted post was met with instant amusement from fans and colleagues across the globe, who agreed that the facial features and smiles of the two public figures are remarkably similar.
While Madowo’s post brought humor to the timeline, the real-world achievement on the pitch by his lookalike was deeply significant.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Yoane Wissa etched his name into footballing folklore by scoring DR Congo’s first-ever goal in FIFA World Cup history.
The historic milestone arrived exactly 52 years after the country’s tournament debut back in 1974.
The defining moment came right before the half-time whistle when Wissa latched onto an inviting cross from left-back Arthur Masuaku, executing a spectacular header that beat the Portuguese defense.
The equalizer successfully canceled out a 6th-minute opening header scored by Paris Saint-Germain’s João Neves.
Wissa’s crucial goal allowed the underdogs to successfully hold Cristiano Ronaldo and a heavily favoured Portuguese squad to a frustrating 1-1 draw, altering the expectations for Group K as the global tournament gets underway.