Portugal lost 1-1 with DR Congo in the opening match of the World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 news

Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal with an early goal but Yoane Wissa equalized in first injury time.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-equalling sixth at the World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of the Congo scored their first point in the finals, draw 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match.

Yoane Wissa’s forward stopped Joao Neves’ early goal on Wednesday and the African side – making their first World Cup appearance since 1974 when they were known as Zaire – more than held their own.

Ronaldo, 41, was in excellent form in the match – he fell short of what his great compatriot Lionel Messi achieved on Tuesday scoring a hat-trick against Algeria.

The DRC did very well because their preparations were disrupted by the Ebola outbreak in their country.

Some Portuguese players were wearing wristbands, given to them by their Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, in tribute to their former team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last year.

Portugal got off to a good start, with Neves heading home Pedro Neto’s cross in the sixth minute.

However, even though they played a lot they lacked a way to slow down and the added time in the first half paid for them.

Wissa rose unmarked to slot past Diogo Costa in Portugal’s goal which sparked wild celebrations on the pitch, the bench and among Congolese fans in the stadium as the Newcastle international registered his country’s first World Cup goal.

Former Portuguese defender Pepe, watching from the VIP seats, did not seem impressed.

Bernardo Silva had started the day by joining Real Madrid on a free transfer but ended up looking on the bench after Martinez took him off in the last minute.

They almost celebrated when Joao Cancelo’s header hit the back of the net – only to be ruled offside.

The Congolese matched the Portuguese, and 35-year-old veteran midfielder Cedric Bakambu leaned over Bruno Fernandes, but his shot came just wide of the post.

Ronaldo finally had a chance to shine when he was gifted with a pass from Francisco Conceicao, but he changed his lines and sent it wide.

The same combination was linked again a few minutes later, Conceicao – a much more exciting presence than Silva – met Ronaldo but the result was the same, the ball went wide.

Portugal thought they had a corner but when it wasn’t awarded Conceicao dropped the ball in frustration as his team failed to take the three points from the start.