FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (João Neves (6′), Yoane Wissa (45+)
Houston, United States: DR Congo announced their return to the FIFA World Cup in style after battling to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Group K opener on Wednesday night.
The Leopards, making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, showed resilience and determination to earn a historic point against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at the NRG Stadium.
Portugal looked set for a comfortable evening after taking the lead just six minutes into the contest when Midfielder Joao Neves rose highest to head home a precise cross from Pedro Neto, giving the Europeans an early advantage.
The Portuguese dominated possession during the opening exchanges and dictated much of the first-half tempo, with veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo making a record-equalling sixth FIFA World Cup appearance.
However, DR Congo gradually settled into the match and began creating problems for Roberto Martinez’s side.
Their persistence paid off deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa powered home a header from Arthur Masuaku’s inviting cross to level the scores. The goal was a historic moment for the Central African nation, becoming DR Congo’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament.
Buoyed by the equaliser, the Leopards emerged from the break full of confidence and matched Portugal stride for stride.
Portugal threw numbers forward in search of a winner, but the Congolese defence remained disciplined and organised, frustrating one of Europe’s most talented attacking sides.
The Leopards almost produced one of the shocks of the tournament when experienced striker Cedric Bakambu struck the woodwork in the second half after a swift counterattack.
At the opposite end, Ronaldo endured a frustrating evening. The 41-year-old squandered two clear opportunities and struggled to find space against a determined Congolese backline that neutralised much of Portugal’s attacking threat.
The draw hands DR Congo a valuable point and boosts their hopes of progressing from a competitive Group K. It also represents one of Africa’s most impressive performances of the tournament so far, underlining the growing competitiveness of African nations on football’s biggest stage.
For Portugal, the result will be viewed as two points dropped after failing to convert their dominance into victory.
Both sides will now turn their attention to their remaining group fixtures as the battle for qualification intensifies.
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