Portugal Held by Historic DR Congo Fightback in World Cup 2026 Opener

Portugal's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign began with frustration after Roberto Martínez's side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening Group K encounter.

The European giants appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory when João Neves put Portugal ahead inside the opening minutes. The midfielder rose highest to meet Pedro Neto's cross and gave the Portuguese fans plenty to celebrate.

However, DR Congo refused to be intimidated on football's biggest stage. Making their return to the World Cup after more than five decades, the African nation delivered a determined performance and created a memorable moment in their history.

Just before halftime, Brentford striker Yoane Wissa headed home an equalizer, scoring DR Congo's first-ever World Cup goal and securing what would eventually become the country's first point in the tournament.

Ronaldo Unable to Inspire Portugal

Much of the spotlight before kickoff surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the oldest player to start a World Cup match and the first footballer to feature in six editions of the competition.

Despite the huge expectations from supporters, the veteran forward struggled to make a decisive impact. Portugal enjoyed long spells of possession but lacked creativity and urgency in the attacking third, allowing DR Congo to remain organized defensively.

Ronaldo came close on a couple of occasions, but the African side stood firm and frustrated one of the tournament favorites.

Historic Achievement for DR Congo

The result represents a landmark moment for DR Congo, who were appearing in the World Cup for the first time since 1974. Coach Sébastien Desabre's side displayed discipline and resilience, with experienced players such as Cédric Bakambu and Samuel Moutoussamy playing important roles in limiting Portugal's attacking threat.

The Congolese supporters celebrated wildly after the final whistle as their team secured a point that will be remembered as one of the country's greatest football achievements.

Portugal Facing Early Pressure

For Portugal, the draw raises early concerns in Group K. Martínez admitted that his side struggled to maintain intensity after conceding and failed to support the attack effectively.

With tougher tests still to come against Uzbekistan and Colombia, Portugal will need to improve quickly if they hope to challenge for their first World Cup title.

Meanwhile, DR Congo have announced themselves as one of the tournament's potential surprise packages, proving they are capable of competing with some of the world's biggest football nations.

Final Score: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo