DR Congo draw 1-1 with Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo falls short in World Cup opener

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match on Wednesday. Yoane Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’s early goal and the African side — appearing in their first […] The post 2026 World Cup: DR Congo Secure Point Against Ronaldo’s Portugal appeared first on Information Nigeria.

The Portuguese forward struggled to make an impact in the 1-1 draw, unlike rival Lionel Messi’s hattrick display against Algeria.

For DR Congo, the draw represents another milestone in a remarkable journey that saw them edge Nigeria to a World Cup place and return to football's biggest stage after more than five decades away. The post Ronaldo fires blank as DR Congo hold Portugal in World Cup opener appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Yoane Wissa's header cancelled out Joao Neves's early goal.

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match on Wednesday. Yoane Wissa's header cancelled out Joao Neves's early goal and the African side -- appearing in their first World Cup since 1974 when it was known as Zaire -- more than held their own. Ronaldo, 41, was largely a peripheral figure throughout the match -- failing to make the impact his great rival Lionel Messi had done on Tuesday in scoring a hat-trick against Algeria. The DRC's achievement was even greater given their preparations had been disrupted by the Ebola outbreak back in their country. Some Portugal players were wearing wrist bands, given to them by their Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, in tribute to late team-mate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash last year. Portugal got off to the perfect start, with Neves powering home a header from Pedro Neto's cross in the sixth minute. However, despite dominating possession they lacked a cutting edge and well into time added on in the first half their opponents made them pay. Wissa rose unmarked to head past Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal sparking wild celebrations on the pitch, the bench and among the Congolese fans in the stadium as the Newcastle forward registered his country's first ever goal at a World Cup. Former Portuguese defensive bulwark Pepe, watching from the VIP seats, did not look impressed. Bernardo Silva had started the day by joining Real Madrid on a free transfer but he ended it by watching from the bench after Martinez took him off at half-time. He was briefly off his feet celebrating when Joao Cancelo's overhead kick hit the back of the net -- only for it to be ruled out for offside. The Congolese were matching the Portuguese, though, and 35-year-old veteran striker Cedric Bakambu shrugged aside Bruno Fernandes, but his shot came back off the near post. Ronaldo finally had a chance to shine when presented with a chance by Francisco Conceicao's pass but he fluffed his lines sending it wide of the post. The same combination linked up again minutes later, Conceicao -- a far livelier presence than Silva had been -- teeing up Ronaldo but once again the result was the same, the ball went wide. Portugal thought they had at least got a corner but when it was not given Conceicao slammed the ball into the ground in frustration as his side failed to pick up three points in their opener.

They came to see Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps expecting feats to rival Lionel Messi’s remarkable display the night before. Ronaldo’s many followers in Houston did their best to summon a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately there were 16 players infinitely more deserving of acclaim. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could have folded after falling behind to João Neves’s early goal but recovered brilliantly to salvage a historic draw on their return to the World Cup, Yoane Wissa’s leveller followed by a triumph of defensive discipline and resolve.Roberto Martínez kept Ronaldo on the pitch for all 95 minutes but, beyond two half-chances midway through the second period, his contribution was minimal and did little to assuage concerns that his presence is a potentially crippling millstone. Continue reading...