“Portugal vs DR Congo delivered one of the first surprises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as tournament favorite Portugal was held to a 1-1 draw in Houston on Wednesday.“
HOUSTON — Cristiano Ronaldo walked onto the field Wednesday with a chance to make World Cup history. He did that. But by the final whistle, the story belonged to DR Congo.
The African side marked its return to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Houston, earning the country’s first-ever World Cup point and scoring its first goal on football’s biggest stage.
Portugal appeared to be cruising toward victory when João Neves struck in the sixth minute. Pedro Neto delivered a cross from the left and the midfielder headed home from close range, giving one of the tournament favourites an early lead. For a while, it looked routine.
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Portugal dominated possession and spent long stretches moving the ball around DR Congo’s defensive block. The problem was what came next. Chances were limited, the tempo dropped, and the opening goal remained Portugal’s only shot on target. DR Congo gradually settled into the contest.
Their breakthrough came deep into first-half stoppage time when Arthur Masuaku whipped a cross into the penalty area and Yoane Wissa arrived unmarked to head past the goalkeeper. The goal carried unusual significance. Before Wednesday, DR Congo had never scored in a World Cup match. The country’s previous appearance came in 1974, when it competed as Zaire and exited the tournament without finding the net.
Wissa’s equalizer changed the mood inside the stadium.
Portugal pushed forward after the break but struggled to create clear openings. Cedric Bakambu nearly produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks when he struck the post during the second half, a warning that DR Congo remained dangerous despite spending much of the match defending.
Ronaldo, now 41, had two opportunities from close range but failed to convert either. The Portugal captain was making his sixth World Cup appearance, a record he now shares only with Argentina star Lionel Messi. Instead of celebrating a landmark night, Ronaldo left the field visibly disappointed after one of his quieter international performances.
“It’s a historic moment for our country”, DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said after the match. “The players showed great mentality and tactical discipline”.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez admitted his team lacked attacking sharpness after the early goal.
“We controlled the game but we didn’t create enough chances”, Martinez said. “After scoring, we lost intensity”.
The result immediately tightened Group K. Portugal entered the tournament among the leading contenders for the title and was expected to begin with three points before facing tougher tests later in the group stage. Instead, the draw leaves little margin for error in upcoming matches.
For DR Congo, the point represents one of the most significant results in the history of the national team. President Felix Tshisekedi attended the match in Houston, underscoring the importance of the occasion back home.
The numbers tell part of the story: 52 years away from the World Cup, one first-half equalizer, one historic point.
The reaction from Congolese players told the rest. When the final whistle sounded, it felt less like a draw and more like a breakthrough.
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