João Neves scores early, but DR Congo battles back before halftime and frustrates Portugal in a disappointing opening match for Roberto Martínez’s side.
Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign began with a major disappointment as Roberto Martínez’s side was held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient DR Congo team in Group K.
The evening was expected to be another chapter in Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary international career. Instead, the Portuguese captain endured one of his quietest performances on the World Cup stage, while DR Congo celebrated a historic result thanks to an inspired display from Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa.
Making his sixth World Cup appearance, Ronaldo entered the tournament hoping to answer Lionel Messi’s remarkable hat trick for Argentina just a day earlier. But the veteran striker struggled to make an impact and rarely looked capable of changing the match.
Portugal actually made the perfect start.
Only six minutes had elapsed when João Neves underlined his growing reputation as one of the world’s premier midfielders. The Paris Saint-Germain star timed his run perfectly and powered a superb header into the net to give Portugal an early 1-0 advantage.
For much of the first half, Portugal controlled possession, but the African side gradually grew into the contest. Bakambu constantly occupied Portugal’s center-backs, using his physicality and movement to create space for his teammates.
DR Congo’s persistence was rewarded deep into first-half stoppage time. Portugal failed to track Wissa inside the penalty area, allowing the Brentford forward to finish calmly and level the score at 1-1 in the 45th minute plus five minutes of added time.
Martínez attempted to change the momentum immediately after the break, replacing Bernardo Silva with Francisco Conceição. The winger brought more energy and directness, creating two promising opportunities for Ronaldo, but the Al-Nassr striker was unable to convert either chance.
Rafael Leão was also introduced midway through the second half, yet the AC Milan winger failed to provide the spark Portugal desperately needed, losing possession repeatedly and struggling to beat his defenders.
Meanwhile, DR Congo defended with remarkable discipline. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was excellent at right wing-back, repeatedly shutting down Portuguese attacks, while goalkeeper Dimitry Mpasi inspired confidence throughout the back line despite not being forced into spectacular saves.
Portugal pushed forward in the closing stages, even sending Gonçalo Ramos onto the field, but Sébastien Desabre’s side refused to buckle. The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Congolese players, who secured what may prove to be a crucial point in the battle for qualification.
For Portugal, however, the result raises immediate questions. After Messi’s historic performance with Argentina, Ronaldo’s World Cup return could hardly have gone worse.
Match Report: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Goals: 6′ João Neves (POR), 45+5′ Wissa (COD)
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Araújo, Veiga, Nuno Mendes (72′ Semedo); João Neves, Vitinha (83′ Gonçalo Ramos); Bernardo Silva (46′ Conceição), Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto (72′ Leão); Cristiano Ronaldo.
Head Coach: Roberto Martínez
DR Congo (3-5-2): Mpasi; Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba; Wan-Bissaka (85′ Kalulu), Mukau (57′ Sadiki), Moutoussamy, E. Kayembe (75′ Pickel), Masuaku (75′ J. Kayembe); Wissa, Bakambu (85′ Banza).
Head Coach: Sébastien Desabre
Referee: Abdulrahman Al Jassim (Qatar)
Yellow Cards: Bernardo Silva, Araújo, Semedo (Portugal); Mbemba (DR Congo)
Red Cards: None
Venue: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group K
