Arthur Masuaku (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Joao Cancelo of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
HOUSTON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Cristiano Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but delivered a rather subdued performance as Portugal was held to a surprise 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their FIFA World Cup Group K opener at Houston Stadium on Wednesday.
Portugal struck early when Joao Neves rose high to head home from a corner kick in the sixth minute, sending the Portuguese fans into raptures. The European side controlled much of the possession thereafter, with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva dictating the tempo from midfield.
Yet the African underdog refused to buckle, as it grabbed a dramatic equalizer deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa outjumped his marker to power a header past the Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa, silencing the red-clad majority and igniting celebrations among the Congolese contingent.
Portugal continued to press forward after the break and created a number of scoring opportunities, but failed to convert them into goals. DR Congo, meanwhile, repeatedly threatened the Portuguese goal with sharp counterattacks. Both teams failed to score in the second half as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The result leaves the group wide open, with Portugal facing an unexpectedly stiff second-round battle against Uzbekistan to avoid dropping more points, while DR Congo will next take on Colombia. ■
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Yoane Wissa (C) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrates a goal with teammates during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Yoane Wissa (2nd L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrates a goal with teammates during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrate a goal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (1st R) of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (R) talks to the referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (C) of Qatar after the yellow card to Portugal's Bernardo Silva (L) during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cedric Bakambu (R) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Bruno Fernandes of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Axel Tuanzebe (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) greets Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Chancel Mbemba (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Rafael Leao of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Chancel Mbemba (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Rafael Leao of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) greet spectators after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Cristiano Ronaldo (back R) of Portugal pulls up Yoane Wissa (bottom) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Chancel Mbemba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reacts after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Edo Kayembe (R) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Renato Veiga of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Chancel Mbemba (front L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Goncalo Ramos (front R) of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Pedro Neto (front) of Portugal competes during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo (bottom) of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Edo Kayembe (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Nuno Mendes of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Yoane Wissa (3rd R) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) heads to score during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Yoane Wissa (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Bernardo Silva of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Chancel Mbemba (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vies against Pedro Neto of Portugal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Players of Portugal cheer up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Yoane Wissa (C) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) heads to score during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Yoane Wissa (4th L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) heads to score during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrate a goal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrate a goal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Nuno Mendes (C) of Portugal breaks through during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Nuno Mendes (C) of Portugal breaks through during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Starting players of Portugal pose before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Fans are seen before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Fans of Portugal are seen before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of Portugal celebrate a goal during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front) of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Yoane Wissa (L) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrates a goal with teammates during the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal warms up before the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of Portugal greet spectators after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal greets spectators after the group K match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
