Portugal Held by DR Congo, Ronaldo Fails to Score in Their Opening 2026 World Cup Match

Portugal failed to get their campaign off to a winning start at the 2026 World Cup, after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening Group K fixture at Houston Stadium, United States, on Wednesday. This result sees Portugal follow in the footsteps of Brazil and Spain, who both also failed to secure victory in their respective opening matches earlier.

This match also marked a historic milestone for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal captain officially became only the second player in history to feature across six separate World Cup tournaments, after Lionel Messi. However unlike Messi who scored a hat-trick one day prior, Ronaldo finished this fixture without registering a goal.

Portugal opened the match with clear dominance. Roberto Martinez's side took full control of proceedings from the first whistle, and successfully broke the deadlock in the 6th minute.

An accurate delivery from Pedro Neto into the penalty box was met with a clean headed finish by Joao Neves, putting Portugal 1-0 ahead.

Riding the early lead, Portugal grew in confidence and continued to dictate the flow of the game. However the Democratic Republic of Congo showed solid resilience, and gradually settled into their own playing rhythm.

Shortly before the first half concluded, Congo found their equaliser. A crossing delivery from Arthur Masuaku was headed home by Yoane Wissa, leveling the score at 1-1.

Entering the second half, Portugal reasserted their dominance over the match. They recorded 68% ball possession and kept mounting sustained pressure against Congo's defence from all flanks.

Joao Cancelo appeared to score with a spectacular acrobatic strike in the 55th minute. This goal was ultimately disallowed by VAR, after an offside position was ruled during the build up play.

Congo did not remain passive. Two minutes later, Cedric Bakambu dispossessed Bruno Fernandes before unleashing a powerful shot that struck the goal frame.

Seeking to increase attacking threat, Roberto Martinez introduced forward players Rafael Leao, Francisco Conceicao and Goncalo Ramos from the bench.

Ronaldo also received a clear goalscoring opportunity in the 68th minute, but the star forward's effort drifted wide of the target and left the scoreline unchanged.

Portugal continued to push relentlessly right until the final minutes of the match. Despite creating multiple scoring chances, the compact, disciplined defence of the Democratic Republic of Congo shut down every attempt to add a winning goal.

The full time whistle eventually sounded, confirming the match finished with a final 1-1 scoreline.

Match Lineups
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Tomas Araujo, Renato Veiga, Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes (Nelson Semedo 72'); Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva (Francisco Conceicao 46'), Joao Neves, Vitinha (Goncalo Ramos 83'); Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto (Rafael Leao 72')

Democratic Republic of Congo: Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Gedeon Kalulu 85'), Steve Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku (Joris Kayembe 74'); Ngal'ayel Mukau (Noah Sadiki 57'), Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe (Charles Pickel 74'); Cédric Bakambu (Simon Banza 85'), Yoane Wissa.