Silas Katompa Mvumpa came off the bench to earn a merited point for DR Congo in a 1-1 Group F draw with Africa Cup of Nations favourites Morocco.
Under sweltering conditions in San-Pedro, it was the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists who grabbed the lead when Achraf Hakimi headed home from the Hakim Ziyech corner on six minutes.
The DRC missed a penalty when Cedric Bakambu hit a post after VAR deemed Selim Amallah guilty of a handling offence.
But the underdogs did not relent and were rewarded for their perseverance when Silas tucked the ball into the net from fellow substitute Meschack Elia on 76 minutes.
Morocco move onto four points at the top of Group F following their 3-0 win over Tanzania in their tournament opener, while the DRC have two points after a 1-1 draw with Zambia.
Morocco will win the group by beating Zambia on Wednesday with DRC Congo still well in the hunt for a last-16 spot.