In Group K of the 2026 World Cup, Portugal settled for a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Portugal started strong and took the lead early in the match, with Joao Neves scoring in the sixth minute. Pedro Neto delivered a precise cross into the box, and Neves headed home to give the Portuguese squad a 1-0 advantage. Following this, Portugal controlled possession for significant stretches, though they struggled to capitalize and eventually faced a disciplined defensive setup from the DRC, which managed to create occasional threats.
The tempo increased as the game wore on, leading to cautions. Bernardo Silva was booked in the 13th minute after a harsh challenge, and Chancel Mbemba received a yellow card in the 32nd minute. Despite maintaining dominance in play, Portugal found it difficult to break down the Kongolese defense.
The deadlock was broken just before halftime in the 35th minute (5th minute of added time), when Yoane Wissa headed in a cross from Arthur Masuaku, leveling the score at 1-1. This goal marked a historic moment for the DRC, as it was their first-ever goal in a World Cup.
The second half mirrored the first, featuring similar dynamics. Portugal held more of the ball, but they continued to struggle to generate clear-cut chances against the compactly organized DRC. The Kongolese side defended diligently and repeatedly looked to exploit counter-attacking opportunities. Despite several substitutions made by both teams, the match concluded with a deserved 1-1 draw.
