DR Congo earn first World Cup point in draw with Portugal
Yoane Wissa’s header gave DR Congo a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Group K, denying Cristiano Ronaldo a winning start to his sixth World Cup.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
DR Congo held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their Group K opener at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, AFP reported. The result gave the African side their first point at a World Cup finals and denied Cristiano Ronaldo a winning start to his record-equalling sixth tournament.
According to AFP, Joao Neves put Portugal ahead in the sixth minute at Houston Stadium, heading in Pedro Neto’s cross. Yoane Wissa answered deep into first-half stoppage time, scoring with a header that AFP described as DR Congo’s first goal at a World Cup.
AFP reported that DR Congo were appearing at the finals for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire. The team’s run-up to the tournament had been affected by an Ebola outbreak in the country, according to AFP.
Portugal controlled much of the ball after Neves’s early goal, AFP reported, but Roberto Martinez’s side struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Wissa punished that waste before the break, finding space and heading past goalkeeper Diogo Costa to set off celebrations among the Congolese players, substitutes and supporters.
Ronaldo, 41, had a quiet match by his standards, according to AFP. The agency reported that he was unable to match the opening impact of Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria on Tuesday at his own sixth World Cup.
AFP reported that Ronaldo’s best openings came after Francisco Conceicao entered the match. Conceicao supplied Ronaldo twice in the second half, but the Portugal captain sent both attempts wide.
Portugal also had a potential winner ruled out, according to AFP. Joao Cancelo’s overhead kick reached the net, but the effort was disallowed for offside, briefly halting Portuguese celebrations.
DR Congo continued to threaten as the match wore on, AFP reported. Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu, 35, held off Bruno Fernandes and struck the near post with an effort that nearly put the underdogs ahead.
Bernardo Silva’s day also carried a club subplot, according to AFP. The midfielder had joined Real Madrid on a free transfer earlier Wednesday, then was substituted at halftime by Martinez.
AFP reported that some Portugal players wore wristbands given to them by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in memory of former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last year. Former Portugal defender Pepe watched the match from the VIP seats, according to AFP.
The draw leaves Portugal without the three-point start they wanted in Group K, AFP reported. For DR Congo, the point marked a breakthrough return to the World Cup after more than five decades away from the tournament.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.