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Portugal 1-1 DR Congo | Group K | June 17, 2026 | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
A Historic Night in Houston
This match marked the first-ever meeting between the two nations, and it carried plenty of history before a ball was even kicked. DR Congo had not played a World Cup match since a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in West Germany back in 1974, when they exited in the group stage. Meanwhile, for Portugal, the occasion held its own significance, since Cristiano Ronaldo started and played the full 90 minutes in what is expected to be his final World Cup campaign.
GOAL 1 – Joao Neves, 6′: Portugal Make the Perfect Start
Portugal made the perfect start when Joao Neves opened the scoring in the sixth minute, heading home an outswinging cross from Pedro Neto. The goal was confirmed after a brief VAR review, giving the Portuguese an early advantage.
Credits: The Sporting News
Portugal Dominates but Fails to Add a Second
The Europeans dominated possession throughout the first half and nearly created further chances. Bruno Fernandes produced a superb pass over the defense in the 19th minute, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s timely intervention and quick goalkeeping from Lionel Mpasi denied Nuno Mendes.
The half also saw two early bookings. Bernardo Silva picked up a yellow card for Portugal in the 13th minute, while DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba was booked in the 32nd minute.
GOAL 2 (DR Congo) – Yoane Wissa, A Dramatic Equalizer
Just as it looked like Portugal would head into the break ahead, DR Congo struck back. Yoane Wissa leveled the score at 1-1 with a header in Houston, with Arthur Masuaku providing the assist. Wissa’s header came right on the stroke of half-time, stunning the home favorites just moments before the interval.
Halftime Adjustments
Seeking a breakthrough, Portugal introduced Francisco Conceicao for Bernardo Silva at halftime, hoping to find a way back in front. Portugal continued to make changes as the match wore on, with Nelson Semedo replacing the possibly injured Nuno Mendes in the 72nd minute, and Goncalo Ramos coming on for Vitinha in the 83rd minute.
DR Congo also rotated their side to manage the closing stages. Sebastien Desabre made several substitutions, including Charles Pickel for Edo Kayembe in the 74th minute, Joris Kayembe for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the 85th minute, and Simon Banza for Cedric Bakambu, also in the 85th minute.
A Tense Finish in Houston
Despite their control of the ball, Portugal could not find a way through DR Congo’s resilient defense in the second half. In stoppage time, Fernandes aimed from 20 yards as DR Congo crowded the box with their backs to the wall, but his left-footed strike went just wide of Mpasi’s near post.
The match also produced a heated moment near the end. A late challenge saw Araujo clatter into Wissa after the DR Congo striker flicked the ball past him from a throw-in, a foul that could have warranted more than a yellow card had it occurred closer to Portugal’s goal.
Portugal pushed until the very end in search of a winner. They won another late corner, but once again, Mpasi calmly claimed Fernandes’ delivery in the air, unchallenged. Late bookings for Nelson Semedo in the 88th minute and Tomas Araujo in second-half stoppage time added further tension to the closing stages.
Full Time: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Congo DR produced another stunning result at the 2026 World Cup, as the African side held one of the pre-tournament favorites, Portugal, to a 1-1 draw in Houston. It proved a frustrating night for Ronaldo and his teammates, as Roberto Martinez’s men could not make their dominance of possession count for a winner.
The Bigger Picture for DR Congo
DR Congo secured their place in North America dramatically on March 31, when former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe scored an extra-time winner against Jamaica in Guadalajara through the intercontinental playoffs.
Coach Sebastien Desabre, who took charge of the team in 2022, previously guided DR Congo to the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and he has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal, including Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Portugal will next face Uzbekistan on June 23, before closing out the group stage against Colombia on June 27. DR Congo, meanwhile, will travel to face Colombia on June 24, followed by a meeting with Uzbekistan on June 27.
Both sides now sit level on points after this opening draw, which keeps Group K wide open heading into the next round of matches.
