DR Congo hold Ronaldo’s Portugal for a historic first World Cup point
Yoane Wissa’s header on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Joao Neves’s early opener as DR Congo claimed their first ever World Cup point, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo frustrated on his record sixth World Cup.
Jun 17, 2026
Portugal opened their World Cup with a stumble rather than a statement, held to a 1-1 draw by a stubborn DR Congo in Houston. João Neves headed them in front inside the first ten minutes, but Yoane Wissa levelled on the stroke of half-time to give the Leopards a point on their return to the finals after more than half a century. For Cristiano Ronaldo, starting a record sixth World Cup, it was a night of frustration.
A bright start that promised more
Portugal could hardly have asked for a better opening. In the sixth minute Pedro Neto whipped in a cross from the right and Neves rose to glance a header past the DR Congo goalkeeper. The early goal suggested a comfortable afternoon was on the cards, and Roberto Martinez’s side settled into the kind of patient, possession-heavy rhythm that has become their trademark.
The problem, as it turned out, was the finishing. Portugal kept the ball for long spells and pushed DR Congo deep, but the clear openings stayed scarce, and the longer the first half wore on, the more comfortable the Africans looked defending their box.
Wissa strikes for a piece of history
DR Congo made Portugal pay right before the interval. With the half ticking into stoppage time, Wissa drifted away from his marker and rose unmarked to head home from a set-piece and level the game. It was DR Congo’s first ever goal at a World Cup, and it sent a clear message that they had not travelled to North America simply to make up the numbers.
The second half followed a familiar script. Portugal dominated the ball and camped in the DR Congo half, but the breakthrough would not come. Francisco Conceicao twice carved out chances for Ronaldo, and twice the captain dragged his effort wide of the post. DR Congo defended in numbers, rode their luck at times, and held firm for the point.
A quiet night for Ronaldo
At 41 and playing in his sixth World Cup, Ronaldo cut a peripheral figure for long stretches. He stayed on for the full 90 minutes, with Martinez seeing little reason to withdraw his captain, but the chances that fell his way went begging. The draw extends a lean run in front of goal at major tournaments for a player who has built his career on settling exactly these kinds of games.
There was still a milestone in it for him. By starting against DR Congo, Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only men to appear at six World Cups, a marker of remarkable longevity even on a night when the football did not flow.
Group K opens up
The result leaves Group K wide open after one round. Portugal remain among the tournament favourites, but they will need a sharper edge in the final third to avoid more frustrating afternoons. For DR Congo, a point against a side of Portugal’s pedigree is a fine return on their long-awaited comeback, and proof that the tournament’s so-called minnows are not reading the script.