The final score of Portugal 1-1 DR Congo saw Yoane Wissa’s stoppage-time header earn the Leopards a historic point in their World Cup 2026 Group K opener. The match took place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium) in Houston, Texas, under the watch of referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim. Played as the opening fixture for both teams in Group K, this contest saw Roberto Martinez’s heavily favored Portugal dominate possession but fail to break down a disciplined Congolese side that grew into the game.
Key Takeaways
- The final score of Portugal 1-1 DR Congo confirmed a frustrating draw for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side in their World Cup 2026 Group K opener at Houston Stadium.
- Joao Neves headed Portugal in front in the sixth minute, but Yoane Wissa equalized in first-half stoppage time on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
- Wissa’s header was DR Congo’s first-ever goal and first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup, a landmark moment for the Leopards on their tournament debut.
- Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match but could not find a winner despite two second-half openings.
- Portugal dominated the ball with around 75% possession yet were out-shot by DR Congo, who edged the expected-goals battle 0.82 to 0.64 in their Group K opener.
Match Highlights
Watch the best moments from Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo below.
How did the goals go in?
The scoring sequence for the Portugal 1-1 DR Congo match began almost immediately. Pedro Neto whipped in a cross from the right, and Joao Neves rose to meet it with a header in the sixth minute, giving Portugal a 1-0 lead and the kind of early start everyone had predicted from the Group K favorites.
DR Congo refused to fold, and they drew level right on the stroke of half-time. Deep into first-half stoppage time, in the fifth added minute, left-back Arthur Masuaku delivered a dangerous cross from the left and Yoane Wissa powered home a header to make it 1-1. It was a goal that will live long in Congolese football history as the nation’s first ever at a World Cup.
Portugal thought they had restored their lead in the fifty-fifth minute when Joao Cancelo acrobatically volleyed home a bicycle kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a review. That disallowed goal proved to be the closest the Selecao came to a second, and the score remained level at 1-1 until the final whistle.
How did the match unfold?
After Neves’s early header, Portugal settled into a familiar pattern of total ball control without a clear cutting edge. DR Congo, organized in a compact low block, weathered the early pressure and then stunned the favorites with Wissa’s equalizer on the brink of the interval, sending the sides in level at the break.
Tactical overview
Managed by Roberto Martinez, Portugal monopolized the ball with roughly 75% possession and a pass-completion rate above 90%, but that dominance rarely translated into clear chances. They managed just seven shots and only one on target across the ninety minutes, an expected-goals return of only 0.64 that underlined how blunt they were in the final third.
DR Congo’s response
Sebastien Desabre’s side sat deep in a disciplined 5-3-2, conceded territory by design, and were far more clinical with what little they had. The Leopards actually out-shot Portugal eight to seven, carved out the game’s only big chance and converted it, and dug in to protect their point during a nervy second half in which Cristiano Ronaldo squandered two openings.
How did the match statistics compare?
| Stat | Portugal | DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 75% | 25% |
| Total shots | 7 | 8 |
| Shots on target | 1 | 2 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.64 | 0.82 |
| Saves | 1 | 0 |
| Fouls committed | 9 | 10 |
The numbers tell the story of an upset that never quite happened but always threatened to. Portugal owned the ball and the territory, yet DR Congo edged both the shot count, eight to seven, and the expected-goals figure, 0.82 to 0.64. The Leopards created the only big chance of the match and took it, while Portugal’s overwhelming possession produced just a single shot on target after Neves’s early header.
Why was this result notable?
Yoane Wissa was the standout figure, scoring the header that earned DR Congo a point and a place in the record books. While no official Player of the Match award was reported, his finish on the stroke of half-time defined the contest and capped a resilient team display from the tournament debutants.
The draw delivered two pieces of history. Wissa’s strike was DR Congo’s first-ever goal and first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup, a milestone for the Leopards on their debut at the tournament. At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match, though a flat attacking display left Portugal short of the win their possession suggested.
What does this result mean for Group K?
The other Group K match on Wednesday, June 17, concluded with Colombia beating tournament debutants Uzbekistan 3-1, with goals from Luis Diaz, Jaminton Campaz and Daniel Munoz. After the opening round of matches, Colombia sits top of the group on three points.
Portugal and DR Congo share second and third place on one point each following their draw, while Uzbekistan are bottom on zero points after their defeat to Colombia.
Implications for both teams
Portugal will be frustrated to have dropped two points in a game they dominated for possession, leaving them with ground to make up on early group leaders Colombia. DR Congo, by contrast, will be thrilled: a point against one of the tournament favorites on their World Cup debut is a significant result that keeps their hopes of advancing very much alive.
Key tactical takeaways
The contrast between the two sides was stark. Portugal controlled the ball but struggled to break down a deep, compact block, while DR Congo defended in numbers and threatened with efficient, well-timed forays forward. The Leopards’ discipline out of possession and their clinical edge from Masuaku’s cross were ultimately enough to cancel out Portugal’s territorial advantage.
Looking ahead
Portugal will look to convert their dominance into goals when they face their remaining Group K fixtures, knowing a side built around Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes must be far sharper in the final third. DR Congo will take huge belief from this performance and will fancy their chances of building on a point as they chase a place in the knockout rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score?
The match finished 1-1 between Portugal and DR Congo in their Group K opener on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium) in Houston, Texas.
Who scored the goals for each team?
Joao Neves headed Portugal in front in the sixth minute from a Pedro Neto cross. Yoane Wissa equalized for DR Congo with a header in first-half stoppage time, assisted by Arthur Masuaku.
Did any players or teams set records during this match?
Yes. Yoane Wissa’s goal was DR Congo’s first ever at a World Cup, and the draw earned them their first-ever World Cup point. Cristiano Ronaldo also became the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match.
How did the match unfold?
Portugal led early through Joao Neves but were pegged back by Wissa’s header in first-half stoppage time. Joao Cancelo had a second-half bicycle-kick goal disallowed for offside, and Portugal dominated possession without finding a winner, leaving the score 1-1.
What does this result mean for Group K?
After one round of matches, Colombia leads Group K on three points following their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. Portugal and DR Congo each have one point from their draw, while Uzbekistan are bottom on zero points.
