Rafael Nogueira
Democratic Republic of Congo claimed a hard-earned point on their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw and leaving the Selecao das Quinas with just one win from their last five World Cup openers.
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Reigning UEFA Nations League champions Portugal needed less than six minutes to break the deadlock. Joao Neves supplied a precise header from a Pedro Neto cross — his fourth goal in his last two competitive internationals — to put the Europeans ahead early.
The Leopards responded without hesitation. Yoane Wissa flashed an effort narrowly wide, and Cedric Bakambu saw a chance blocked as D.R. Congo refused to sit back and absorb pressure.
With Bruno Fernandes added to two-thirds of the Paris Saint-Germain midfield, Portugal created some danger at the other end. The Manchester United man threaded a pass to release Nuno Mendes, forcing a solid stop from Lionel Mpasi to keep the deficit at one.
Despite the calibre of playmakers on the pitch, Portugal struggled to create clear-cut chances. D.R. Congo stuck to their defensive structure with discipline, absorbing pressure and waiting for their moment.
That patience paid off just before half time. Wissa was left in isolation from a corner and headed beyond a helpless Diogo Costa for his country’s first-ever World Cup goal. The African side held just 20% of the ball in the first period but fully merited the equaliser.
Second Half Chances Come and Go
Portugal managed only two shots in the opening 45 minutes. Francisco Conceicao replaced Bernardo Silva at the break and had the first chance of the second period, losing a physical battle at the far post as he tried to connect with a cross from the left.
Joao Cancelo then appeared to restore Portugal‘s lead with an acrobatic finish, hooking a chested Neves pass beyond Mpasi — but the offside flag cut the celebration short.
D.R. Congo continued to threaten. Bakambu rattled the post, though the referee called the move back for a foul on Fernandes. At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo finally got his first sight of goal but could not adjust quickly enough to divert a Conceicao pass into the corner.
The game opened up in the closing stages. Half-chances for Bakambu and Cancelo at either end came to nothing, and the match finished level.
Context and What Comes Next
For the Leopards, this result already marks an improvement on their last World Cup appearance, when they conceded 14 goals across three straight defeats without reply. A point from their opening Group K fixture gives them a genuine platform to push for the knockout stage, with Uzbekistan and Colombia set to meet in the group’s other opening game.
Portugal, by contrast, face questions about a surprisingly blunt attack. Ronaldo is still waiting for a goal at a sixth different World Cup edition — a stat that will sharpen focus on the squad’s depth and creative efficiency heading into the next fixture.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joao Neves (Portugal)
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