Kha Y Tran Portugal began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in Group K.
The European side started well and scored early through Joao Neves. However, they failed to keep control of the game. As a result, DR Congo fought back and earned a deserved point.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet match. The veteran striker found it difficult to break through Congo’s strong defense.
This result puts pressure on Portugal ahead of their next group-stage match.
Watch the match highlights at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJrctBM0poE
Joao Neves Gives Portugal an Early Lead
Portugal made the perfect start.
In the sixth minute, Joao Neves opened the scoring with a powerful header. He timed his run perfectly and sent the ball past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
The early goal gave Portugal confidence. At that moment, many fans expected them to dominate the match.
However, things soon changed.
Portugal kept possession but struggled to create chances. They moved the ball from side to side, yet their attacks lacked speed and purpose.
As a result, DR Congo grew stronger as the first half went on.
DR Congo Fight Back Before Halftime
While Portugal controlled the ball, Congo looked dangerous on the counterattack.
Every time they moved forward, they attacked with speed and confidence. In addition, Yoane Wissa caused several problems for the Portuguese defense.
Their efforts paid off just before halftime.
In stoppage time, Wissa rose above the defenders and headed the ball into the net. The goal made it 1-1 and rewarded Congo for their strong performance.
Portugal’s defenders failed to stop the cross. They also lost track of Wissa inside the penalty area.
As a result, the teams went into the break level.
Ronaldo Has a Frustrating Night
Much of the attention before the game focused on Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal captain entered the tournament under pressure. Earlier in the week, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina. Therefore, many fans compared the performances of the two football legends.
Unfortunately for Portugal, Ronaldo could not make a big impact.
Congo’s defenders stayed close to him throughout the match. As a result, he received very little space in dangerous areas.
Furthermore, Portugal did not create enough chances for their star striker.
Because of that, Ronaldo spent most of the game on the edge of the action.
Portugal Improve in the Second Half
After halftime, coach Roberto Martinez made changes.
He brought on Francisco Conceicao to add pace and energy to the attack. As a result, Portugal looked more dangerous.
In the 53rd minute, Joao Cancelo thought he had scored. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Just moments later, Congo almost took the lead. Cedric Bakambu hit the post after another quick counterattack.
The match became more open after that. Both teams looked capable of scoring.
Missed Chances Cost Portugal
Portugal continued to push forward. However, they lacked quality in front of goal.
One statistic showed their problem clearly. After 60 minutes, Portugal had completed more than 540 passes but managed only one shot on target.
Ronaldo’s best chance came in the 68th minute.
Francisco Conceicao delivered a perfect pass into the box. Ronaldo met the ball first time, but his shot went wide.
It was a huge opportunity.
Later in the match, Bruno Fernandes also tried his luck from distance. However, his effort missed the target as well.
Portugal searched for a winner until the final whistle. Nevertheless, they could not find a breakthrough.
DR Congo Deserve Credit
DR Congo produced one of their best performances in recent years.
They defended well, stayed organized, and attacked with confidence. Moreover, they never looked intimidated by Portugal’s reputation.
Yoane Wissa was excellent throughout the game. Bakambu also played an important role with his movement and energy.
Most importantly, the team showed belief from the first minute to the last.
Because of that, the draw felt fully deserved.
What Happens Next?
The result leaves Group K wide open.
Portugal were expected to win the match. Instead, they dropped two valuable points.
Now, Roberto Martinez and his players must improve quickly. They need more creativity, better movement, and sharper finishing in attack.
At the same time, Ronaldo will hope for a stronger performance in the next game.
Meanwhile, DR Congo can take confidence from this result. If they continue playing like this, they could become one of the surprise teams of World Cup 2026.
In the end, Portugal left disappointed. However, DR Congo celebrated a hard-earned point that could prove very important later in the tournament.
Read more: World Cup 2026: Full Schedule Guide
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