Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth and final World Cup got off to a frustrating start as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo at Houston Stadium. Joao Neves had given the European heavyweights an early lead, but Yoane Wissa's stoppage-time header denied Portugal all three points on a historic night for the Leopards — their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire.
THE GOALS
Portugal made the perfect start. Joao Neves rose highest to head home an outswinging Pedro Neto cross in the sixth minute, the goal confirmed after a brief VAR check. Portugal dominated the opening 45 minutes, controlling the vast majority of possession and creating further chances — Bruno Fernandes threading a superb pass over the DR Congo defence in the 19th minute that Aaron Wan-Bissaka's timely intervention and a smart save from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi combined to deny Nuno Mendes.
But DR Congo had other ideas. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, the Leopards equalised in spectacular fashion — Yoane Wissa rising to head home from a set-piece delivery to send the small but passionate DR Congo support inside Houston Stadium into raptures. Half-time: 1-1, a result that flattered Portugal's dominance on the stats sheet but reflected DR Congo's resilience and cutting edge.
THE SECOND HALF
Roberto Martinez introduced Francisco Conceicao for Bernardo Silva at half-time, looking for more pace and directness. DR Congo showed their own attacking intent — Cedric Bakambu forced an important save from Diogo Costa early in the second period. Portugal thought they had restored their lead in the 55th minute when Joao Cancelo produced a spectacular overhead kick from a Bruno Fernandes cross, but the celebrations were cut short as VAR ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up. Rui Araujo was shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Wissa from a throw-in — a card that, had the contact occurred closer to Portugal's own goal, may have been a more serious sanction. An unusual stoppage occurred when DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi held the ball too long under FIFA's newly implemented six-second rule, resulting in an indirect free kick for Portugal. Despite further pressure — Fernandes pulling a 20-yard effort just wide in stoppage time, and Mpasi claiming a string of corners unchallenged — Portugal could not find the winner.
THE NUMBERS
Portugal dominated possession at around 80 percent for large stretches but managed only a handful of shots on target across the match — DR Congo's expected goals tally was extremely low at around 0.07 to 0.14, underlining just how clinical Wissa's header was relative to the run of play.
LINEUPS
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Araujo, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, B. Silva; Ronaldo. Sub: Conceicao (for B. Silva, HT).
DR Congo: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, and back four; midfield; Wissa, Bakambu leading the attack.
WHAT IT MEANS
A first World Cup point for DR Congo in 52 years is a remarkable achievement for Sebastien Desabre's side, who only qualified in dramatic fashion via the intercontinental playoffs in March, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring an extra-time winner against Jamaica. For Portugal and Ronaldo, appearing in his sixth World Cup since his 2006 debut, it is a missed opportunity — Group K now looks far more competitive than expected after matchday one. Portugal will need a response in their remaining group games to ensure their captain's farewell tournament does not end in early disappointment.