Portugal held to shock 1-1 draw by DR Congo as Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup begins flat
Portugal were held to a shock 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their 2026 World Cup Group K opener in Houston, with Joao Neves’s early header cancelled out by Yoane Wissa in first-half stoppage time. The result handed DR Congo their first-ever World Cup point and their first-ever World Cup goal. Live scores from the tournament are tracked at our live scores centre.
Portugal start fast but lack a cutting edge
The favourites began perfectly. In the sixth minute Pedro Neto whipped in a cross from the right and Neves rose to power a header past the goalkeeper for 1-0. From there the European side dominated possession but rarely threatened a second. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 making a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance, was a peripheral figure throughout, unable to echo the hat-trick his great rival Lionel Messi had produced a day earlier. At half-time coach Roberto Martinez withdrew Bernardo Silva, who had completed a free transfer to Real Madrid that very morning, but the reshuffle brought no spark.
Wissa’s header rewrites history for DR Congo
The complacency was punished deep into first-half stoppage time. Newcastle forward Wissa climbed unmarked to head past Diogo Costa, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch, the bench and among Congolese supporters in the stadium. It was the nation’s first goal in World Cup history. DR Congo were appearing at the finals for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire, and they had done so despite preparations being disrupted by an Ebola outbreak back home. Holding a heavyweight to a draw on this stage was a genuine landmark.
The turning point: Cancelo ruled out, Ronaldo wasteful
The defining moment arrived in the 55th minute when Joao Cancelo’s overhead kick hit the net, only to be ruled out for offside by VAR. The Congolese kept matching their opponents, and 35-year-old veteran Cedric Bakambu shrugged off Bruno Fernandes before striking the near post. At the other end Francisco Conceicao twice teed up Ronaldo, but the veteran dragged both efforts wide. As the match ebbed away, a frustrated Conceicao slammed the ball into the ground.
Standings impact and what comes next
The draw leaves the pre-tournament contenders with just one point from their opener, complicating their path through the group, while DR Congo announced they are no makeweights. Some Portuguese players wore wristbands gifted by their prime minister in tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last year. To advance, the side must find far greater efficiency in attack next time out. For more tournament storylines, see our analysis of England’s injury blow before kick-off.
