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FIFA World Cup: Portugal held to draw by DR Congo
18 Jun 2026

Portugal's campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup got off to a disappointing start as they settled for a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

The match, which took place in Houston, saw Cristiano Ronaldo miss two golden opportunities that could have given his team the much-needed victory.

Joao Neves had given Portugal an early lead with a well-placed header in the sixth minute but it was their only shot on target throughout the match.

DR Congo get their 1st-ever World Cup goal
Match highlights

DR Congo, however, proved resilient and got their first-ever World Cup goal through Newcastle's Yoane Wissa.

The goal came as a reward for their persistence and helped them secure a remarkable point in their first tournament appearance since 1974.

Portugal had another goal disallowed for offside in the second half when Cancelo's bicycle kick was ruled out.

Ronaldo misses 2 golden opportunities
Key moments

Ronaldo had two clear chances to score but failed to convert them. The first came from a close-range volley that went wide, while the second was blocked by a defender.

Despite Portugal's dominance in possession, they struggled to break through DR Congo's solid defense and turn their control into goals.

Bruno Fernandes also missed a golden opportunity from the edge of the box late in the match, further adding to Portugal's frustration.

How did the teams fare?
Defensive strategy

DR Congo's defense stood strong against Portugal's attacks, denying them clear goal-scoring opportunities.

The Congolese side, making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, frustrated the Portuguese team with their disciplined defensive display.

Despite controlling the ball for most of the match and having more possession than their opponents, Portugal couldn't find a way past DR Congo's resolute backline.