Portugal Vs DR Congo, FIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo Fails To Turn Up As Yoanne Wissa Scores COD's First Goal
Portugal Vs DR Congo, FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Gallery: Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates could only manage a 1-1 draw with Congo on Wednesday in their opening World Cup match. Congo, which was playing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, became the second African nation to make a strong start in the tournament against European competition following Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain on Monday. Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators at NRG Stadium, which was mostly filled with Portugal supporters, Congo was making only its second World Cup appearance. The first came in 1974, when the team was known as Zaire. João Neves gave Portugal the lead in the sixth minute. The 5-foot-7 midfielder headed in a cross from Pedro Neto. See the best photos from this pivotal POR vs COD football match here:
Portugal supporters wait for the start of the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday AP
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo applauds the fans during warmup APAshley Landis
Members of team Congo warm up during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday AP
Portugal players gather before the start of the World Cup Group K soccer match AP
Congo players argue with a referee during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday AP/Eric Smith
Portugal's Tomas Araujo vies for the ball with Congo's Edo Kayembe, left AP
Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo AP/Ashley Landis
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa (1) fails to save first goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match AP/Eric Smith
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Congo's Axel Tuanzebe react during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston AP
Congo's Edo Kayembe (25) tries to control the ball in front of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during the World Cup Group K match AP/Michael Wyke
Portugal's Nuno Mendes, from right, Bruno Fernandes and Renato Veiga argue with Referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, of Qatar, during the World Cup Group K soccer match AP/Ashley Landis
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, reacts after failing to score during the World Cup Group K soccer match AP/Ashley Landis
Celebrateing Congo fans are seen on a big screen after the World Cup Group K soccer match AP/Eric Smith
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts at the the end of the World Cup Group K soccer match AP/Ashley Landis
Congo players celebrate after the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026 AP/Eric Smith
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