Ronaldo, Portugal Draw with Congo, Final Match Stats, Highlights & World Cup Group K Scenarios

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

The shock result sees DR Congo record their first-ever World Cup point in a game where they more than held their own against one of the tournament favourites.

Group K Standings

1. DR Congo - 1 point (+0 goal difference)
2. Portugal - 1 (+0)
3. Colombia - 0
4. Uzbekistan - 0 points

Match Stats

	Shots	Shots on Target	Possession
Portugal	9	3	75%
DR Congo	9	3	25%

It took Portugal just five minutes to break the deadlock at Houston Stadium. Joao Neves started the game energetically and converted an excellent header from Pedro Neto's cross:

Portugal dominated possession, finishing the first half with 80 percent of the ball, but struggled to create chances after Neves' opener.

In fact, DR Congo's six attempts on Diogo Costa's goal tripled the amount the Europeans managed heading into the break. The Leopards were duly rewarded just before halftime when Yoane Wissa steered a header beyond Costa for 1-1, scoring the nation's first-ever goal at a World Cup tournament.

Portugal thought they'd scored an outrageous goal to retake the lead with 54 minutes on the clock, but Joao Cancelo's excellent bicycle kick was ruled out via an obvious offside call.

Plenty of anticipation awaited Ronaldo stepping onto the pitch for his sixth World Cup. Lionel Messi, his longtime rival and the man he will be compared to until the end of time, netted a stunning hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria the night before. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland also scored braces in a pulsating start to the Golden Boot race.

Ronaldo had a great chance to put Portugal ahead with 20 minutes remaining. He kicked the ball onto his own leg, and wide, from a poor pass that landed just behind his position. 

Minutes later, a brilliant Bruno Fernandes pass split the DR Congo defence, allowing Sergio Conceicao space to find Ronaldo, who was closed down as his shot trickled wide.

Neither team created clear cut chances as the clock ran down. Portugal huffed and puffed, but excellent DR Congo organisation and defensive work kept things level.

The draw provides a great opportunity for Colombia and Uzbekistan, who play later in the day, to assert themselves as group leaders at this early point in proceedings.

Portugal will still be expected to top the group once it's all said and done, but will need to drastically improve, particularly if they aren't qualified by the time they face Colombia in the final fixture ahead of the knockouts.

DR Congo have a quality team and have proven to the world they aren't going to be pushovers. They'll certainly fancy finishing on at least four points, giving themselves a real chance of making the Round of 32.