Portugal were expected to make a statement, but instead left plenty of questions unanswered after being held to a 1-1 draw by a determined DR Congo side in their latest FIFA World Cup outing.

The match began brightly for the Portuguese. Just six minutes in, a superb cross from Pedro Neto was met by the leaping João Neves, who powered a header into the net to give Portugal an early lead.

Ten minutes later, Nuno Mendes looked set to double the advantage when he burst through on goal, only for Lionel Mpasi to produce an outstanding save and keep the African side in the contest.

What followed, however, was far from convincing. After their energetic opening, Portugal slipped into a slow and predictable rhythm. Possession was plentiful, but penetration was almost non-existent, with the team struggling to move the ball forward with any urgency or creativity.

The lack of intensity eventually proved costly. Deep into first-half stoppage time, DR Congo found a deserved equaliser. In a remarkable mirror image of Portugal's opener, a patiently worked corner ended with a pinpoint delivery from Arthur Masuaku, allowing Yoane Wissa to rise unmarked and head home from close range to make it 1-1.

Portugal attempted to raise the tempo after the break and enjoyed a spell of pressure early in the second half. Much of the attention naturally focused on Cristiano Ronaldo, but the veteran forward was unable to provide the decisive moment his side desperately needed.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner came closest on two occasions, sending efforts narrowly wide of the right-hand post. Yet neither chance was enough to change the narrative of a frustrating evening for the European giants.

As the match wore on, DR Congo continued to defend with discipline and confidence, while Portugal ran out of ideas. By the final whistle, the result felt fully deserved for the Leopards, who matched their illustrious opponents in determination and organisation.

World Cup 2026

Portugal - DR Congo 1:1 (1:1)
Goals: Neves J. P., 6 (1:0); Wissa Y., 45 (1:1)

Portugal: Costa D.; Cancelo; Araújo T.; Veiga; Mendes N. (Semedo N., 72); Vitinha F. (Ramos G., 83); Fernandes B.; Bernardo Silva (Conceicao F., 46); Neves J. P.; Cristiano Ronaldo; Pedro Neto (Rafael Leão, 72)
Substitution: Conceicao F. (from 46); Semedo N. (from 72); Rafael Leão (from 72); Ramos G. (from 83)
Bench: José Sá; Rui Silva; Dias R.; Dalot; Inacio; Samú Costa; Matheus Nunes; Félix J.; Ruben Neves; Guedes G.; Trincão
Yellow Cards: Bernardo Silva 13; Semedo N. 88; Araújo T. 92

DR Congo: Mpasi; Tuanzebe; Kapuadi; Mbemba; Masuaku (Kayembe J., 75); Kayembe E. (Pickel, 75); Mukau (Sadiki, 57); Wan-Bissaka (Kalulu, 85); Moutoussamy; Bakambu (Banza, 85); Wissa Y.
Substitution: Sadiki (from 57); Pickel (from 75); Kayembe J. (from 75); Kalulu (from 85); Banza (from 85)
Bench: Fayulu; Epolo; Batubinsika; Kakuta; Tshibola; Mbuku; Cipenga Brian; Elia; Bongonda; Mayele
Yellow Cards: Mbemba 32