DR Congo Hold Portugal to 1-1 Draw as Ronaldo Fails to Score

Houston, — Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the African side produced a disciplined performance to deny one of the tournament’s highly rated teams a winning start.

Portugal made an early breakthrough in Houston when João Neves scored with a header in the sixth minute, giving Roberto Martínez’s side control of the match in the opening stages. With experienced players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva in the lineup, Portugal enjoyed more of the ball but struggled to turn possession into sustained pressure.

DR Congo, returning to the World Cup stage after more than five decades, gradually settled into the game and found their equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Yoane Wissa scored with a header to make it 1-1, giving the Congolese side a historic goal and shifting the momentum before the break.

Portugal pushed for a second goal after halftime, but DR Congo remained compact defensively and looked dangerous on counterattacks. Ronaldo, making another World Cup appearance at the age of 41, was unable to find the net despite Portugal’s efforts to create chances around him.

The result was a major boost for DR Congo, who celebrated their first point at a FIFA World Cup. For Portugal, the draw leaves early questions over attacking efficiency and team selection as they look ahead to their remaining group-stage fixtures.

Both Portugal and DR Congo now have one point in Group K, making the next round of matches important for their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.