HOUSTON June 17, 2026 — In a stunning result at NRG Stadium, underdog DR Congo held European powerhouse Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claiming their first-ever point and goal at the tournament.
João Neves gave Portugal a dream start with a sixth-minute header, but Yoane Wissa powered home a stoppage-time equalizer deep in the first half to send the Congolese fans into raptures. The result marks a historic milestone for Les Leopards, who had not appeared at a World Cup since their debut in 1974.
Portugal dominated early possession and took the lead when Pedro Neto delivered a pinpoint cross from the right. Neves rose highest to nod the ball past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, continuing his impressive form.
DR Congo refused to buckle, creating threats on the counter. Wissa curled a left-footed shot just wide before the break, then delivered the moment of the match. Arthur Masuaku floated in a cross, and Wissa powered a header into the net in the 45+5th minute — Congo DR’s first World Cup goal in 52 years.
The second half saw Portugal push for a winner. João Cancelo thought he had restored the lead with a spectacular overhead kick, but it was ruled out for offside. Cristiano Ronaldo, starting at 41 years and 132 days old, became the oldest outfield player to feature in a World Cup match. He had chances but couldn’t find the net, extending his goalless streak in major tournaments.
DR Congo’s defense held firm, with centre-back Steve Kapuadi going close themselves. The final whistle confirmed a famous point for Sébastien Desabre’s side.
Key Stats and Records
- Player of the Match: João Neves (Portugal) for his early goal and midfield control.
- Ronaldo made his 23rd World Cup appearance (fourth all-time, level with Paolo Maldini) and is now the second-oldest outfield player in tournament history, behind only Roger Milla.
- Portugal enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but struggled to break down a resilient Congolese backline.
What They Said
“I’m obviously very proud today… Scoring our first goal is a huge source of pride because it reflects the character of this team. The most important thing now is to keep going.”
— Yoane Wissa, DR Congo striker“The players showed incredible commitment and selflessness… the entire country deserves it.”
— Sébastien Desabre, DR Congo coach“We started the match very well… We can grow a lot from this match.”
— Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach
The draw leaves both teams with one point in Group K. Portugal will look to bounce back against Uzbekistan, while DR Congo will aim to build on this momentum in their next fixtures. For the Leopards, this result is already a victory worth celebrating.
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