Ronaldo, Portugal frustrated in Congo DR draw

June 17, 2026 No Comments

Portugal, Ronaldo frustrated in opening draw with Congo DRplayCongo DR fans in Lisbon celebrate surrounded by Portugal supporters (1:01)ESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsJun 17, 2026, 02:59 PM ET

Congo DR produced a stunning result at the 2026 World Cup as the African side won their first-ever point in the tournament by holding one of the pre-tournament favorites, Portugal, to a 1-1 draw in Houston on Wednesday.

Congo DR, who were 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 DR were making only their second World Cup appearance. The first came in 1974, when the team was known as Zaire.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only men to play in six World Cups and, aged 41 years and 132 days, he became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match. But the forward cut a frustrated figure in attack.

João Neves gave Portugal the lead in the sixth minute. The 5-foot-7 midfielder headed in a cross from Pedro Neto.

Congo DR celebrate their equalizing goal against Portugal. David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesYoane Wissa equalized for Congo DR with a header in stoppage time at the end of the first half off a cross from Arthur Masuaku, delighting the small pockets of blue-clad fans. It was Congo DR’s first World Cup goal in the country’s history.

Congo DR were shut out in their previous three World Cup matches, losing to Scotland (2-0), Yugoslavia (9-0) and reigning champion Brazil (3-0) at the 1974 tournament in West Germany.

Ronaldo had a chance to move out of a tie with Messi, who had a hat trick on Tuesday, by becoming the first player to score in a sixth tournament. Ronaldo missed shots wide right in the 68th and 73rd minutes. He shook his head in disgust after both.

Ronaldo finished without a shot on goal for the sixth time at a World Cup as his scoreless run in the competition extended to five games.

Bruno Fernandes also had a chance to put Portugal on top in the 90th minute but his shot was also wide right.

Portugal looked to have taken the lead in the 55th minute on a bicycle kick by João Cancelo, but he was ruled offside.

Soon after that, Cédric Bakambu’s attempt to put Congo DR on top failed when his shot bounced off the near post.

The parents of Diogo Jota, a member of the Portugal team who died alongside his brother in a car crash last summer, attended the game in a luxury suite.

The Associated Press and ESPN Research contributed to this report.