Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-setting sixth FIFA World Cup appearance did not go according to plan.
Portugal opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo on Wednesday in Houston, dropping points in a match many expected Roberto Martínez’s side to win comfortably.
The Portuguese got off to the perfect start when João Neves headed home just six minutes into the match after excellent work from Pedro Neto. With Portugal dominating possession early, it looked like the floodgates could open. Instead, DR Congo settled into the game and gradually grew in confidence.
Just before halftime, history was made.
Yoane Wissa powered in an equalizing header to score DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal and secure the nation’s first-ever World Cup point. The goal sparked celebrations among Congolese supporters and stunned a Portuguese side that had controlled much of the opening half.
For Ronaldo, the afternoon was a quiet one.
The 41-year-old superstar became one of the very few players ever to appear in six World Cups, but he struggled to influence the match and failed to find the net. Portugal pushed hard in the second half, but clear-cut chances were limited, and DR Congo nearly pulled off an even bigger shock when Cédric Bakambu struck the post.
The result immediately adds intrigue to Group K, which also features Colombia and Uzbekistan. Portugal remains a favorite to advance, but the dropped points mean there is little room for error in the remaining group matches.
Meanwhile, DR Congo’s remarkable story continues. Making its first World Cup appearance since 1974, the African side showed resilience, organization, and belief against one of the tournament favorites. What began as a difficult assignment against Ronaldo and Portugal turned into one of the early surprises of the tournament.
