Portugal 1-1 DR Congo Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: POR, COD Share Spoils In Houston As Ronaldo Fails To Impress

POR: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Inacio, Mendes; Joao Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto

DRC: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu.

Samuel Moutoussamy could start tonight for the DR Congo side and the player has Indian roots. The 29-year-old was born in Paris, France, to an Indo-Guadeloupean father with Tamil heritage. He opted to play for the Leopards courtesy of a Congolese mother and has earned 57 caps since 2019.

Read more about him and other players of IND origin HERE!

DR Congo boss Sebastien Desabre has said that his side do not fear Cristiano Ronaldo-led POR.

“What we have to do is to deal with the pressure, the pressure of the first game,” Desabre said. “I want my team to play, so we’ll take risks. Those risks will be measured.

“There’s no fear ahead of ‌those big events.”

DR Congo XI: Lionel Mpasi — Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Steve Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku — Ngalayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe — Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa.

Portugal XI: Costa — Mendez, Araujo, Veiga, Cancelo — Vitinha, Neves, Fernandes, Silva — Ronaldo, Neto.

The two countries have never faced each other before – not even in a friendly.

Ronaldo and Mbemba lead their sides out in Houston as we begin another day of World Cup action.

It’s a packed stadium for this lunchtime kickoff in Texas.

Portugal 0-0 DR Congo

An emotional moment for the Portugal players as they belt out their national anthem. Cameras pan out to Diogo Jota's parents who are in the stands tonight.

Portugal 0-0 DR Congo

Here we go in Houston! Let's Go.....

Portugal 0-0 DR Congo 1'

Portugal are up and running at the World Cup 2026. Joao Neves finishes off a slick move as the Selecao go one up in their Group K match at Houston.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 6'

Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa tries his luck from afar but his shot just goes wide off the post.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 11'

Real Madrid's new recruit Bernardo Silva has been booked very early in the game after he slides into Edo Kayembe. Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy with the card and argues with the ref.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 12'

Few touches and inter-changes but that's about it for Cristiano Ronaldo at the Houston Stadium. The Portugal captain has all the world's eyes on him after Lionel Messi's heroics last night.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 18'

We have reached the game's first hydration break with Joao Neves' goal separating the two sides.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 23'

Portugal are always looking for Cristiano Ronaldo and the former Man United forward is like a wolf in the box. Chancel Mbemba clears the danger.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 28'

Edo Kayembe tries his luck from 30 yards out but  but his strike takes a deflection that lifts it into the arms of Diogo Costa.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 34'

The likes of ARG, FRA and GER have hit goals for fun whereas a lot has been expected from Portugal in this World Cup. However, the Portuguese haven't attempted a single shot in the last 30 minutes.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 38'

We are minutes away from the HT whistle and to be honest, one cannot wait for it as such as been the state of play for the past twenty minutes.

Portugal 1-0 DR Congo 43'

The Newcastle forward has just made history for his country as he scores DR Congo's first-ever goal at a World Cup.

A short corner from Arthur Masuaku as he whips the ball in and an unmarked Wissa glances it past Diogo Costa.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 45+5'

Ref blows the whistle as we hit HT at Houston Stadium.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo

The second-half is underway in Houston. BTW, a half-time sub from POR as Bernardo Silva is off with Francisco Conceicao being introduced.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 46'

Cedric Bakambu forces Diogo Costa into a save but the flag is raised for offside. COD are not messsing around and are sneaking in behind the POR defence with quite ease.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 50'

Joao Cancelo thinks he has given POR the lead and so do their fans but the offside flag is immediately raised.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 55'

Sunderland's Noah Sadiki is on for Ngal'ayel Mukau.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 57'

Just absurd that Portugal, with all that quality in their mid and attack, have just one attempt on target.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 61'

Some fiery exchanges between both sets of players. Pedro Neto goes down clutching his ankle, but the referee waves play on and Nuno Mendes is pulled down right in front of the Portugal bench, as Wisa and Viega get into argy-bargy.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 67'

Cristiano Ronaldo misses a sitter. The Portugal captain is fed nicely by Francisco Canceicao but his pass is slightly behind the Al-Nassr forward and he cannot gain the much-needed power behind the shot.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 69'

POR from nowhere have upped the tempo in their game and have started knocking on the COD defence. On the other end, the African side come close to scoring with a counter attack of themselves but Cedric Bakambu on the edge of the box hits it over the crossbar.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 77'

The game is opening now as we head into the final 10 minutes. Both teams have chances at either ends with DR Congo looking to cause the major upset.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 81'

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Cedric Bakambu have been subbed off.

They're replaced by Gedeon Kalulu and Simon Banza.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 85'

Five minutes of additional time added. Can we see a late winner?

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 90'

That was so poor from Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal as they are held by DR Congo who get their first point at the World Cup.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo