DR Congo battled back from an early Portugal goal to earn a 1-1 draw in their World Cup 2026 opener, with Yoane Wissa scoring the country’s first-ever World Cup goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup didn’t start the way he’d have scripted it. Portugal looked sharp early in Houston, with Joao Neves heading them in front after just six minutes, but the European giants couldn’t build on it, as Al Jazeera reports.
DR Congo, written off before kickoff, grew into the game and were rewarded when Yoane Wissa rose to head home an equaliser, a historic first World Cup goal for the Leopards. From there, DR Congo arguably looked the more likely winners, with goalkeeper Mpasi standing tall to preserve the point deep into stoppage time.
For Ronaldo, the frustration continues. The Al-Nassr forward has now gone ten straight major tournament games without scoring, firing 33 shots and hitting the target just 11 times without finding the net once. Pressure is mounting on manager Roberto Martinez if that drought persists.
The result leaves DR Congo sitting top of Group K after matchday one. Portugal head back to Houston to face Uzbekistan next Tuesday, while DR Congo travel to Mexico to take on Colombia the same day, both sides searching for answers after an opening night full of surprises.
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