Portugal and Congo played out a 1-1 draw in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match held in Houston.
Portugal took an early lead in the 6th minute when João Neves scored with a brilliant header. However, Congo responded just before halftime as Yan Wissa found the back of the net to level the score.
In the second half, Portugal thought they had regained the lead through João Cancelo, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Portugal made an impressive start to the match, dominating possession and putting Congo under early pressure. Their strong opening was rewarded when João Neves headed home to give his side the advantage.
Throughout the first half, Portugal controlled most of the play, forcing DR Congo into a defensive setup. Despite struggling to create clear chances initially, Congo remained organized at the back and continued to resist Portugal’s attacks.
Before halftime, Portugal pushed hard for a second goal, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes heavily involved in attack, but Congo’s defense stood firm.
In stoppage time of the first half, Yan Wissa capitalized on a golden opportunity to score the equalizer, making it 1-1.
Both teams created chances after the break, but neither was able to find the decisive goal. The final stages of the match were dominated by disciplined defensive play, with both sides preventing further breakthroughs.
DR Congo’s defensive line showed remarkable resilience in the closing minutes, successfully denying Portugal’s repeated attacking efforts.
The match ended 1-1, with both teams sharing the points.
