Democratic Republic of Congo marked their return to the World Cup stage after 52 years by holding Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
DR Congo were in trouble early on when Portugal took lead inside six minutes when a Pedro Neto cross was brilliantly headed home by Joao Neves from 15 metres. A perfect start for the pre-tournament favourites, but little did they know that this would be their only effort on target in the game.
Coach Roberto Martinez admitted his team struggled under the pressure of being one of the tournament favourites. While Portugal controlled possession, they failed to create enough clear-cut chances and allowed DR Congo to settle into the game.
“We didn’t create enough opportunities and probably lost the desire to score a second goal,” Martinez said.
“But I think it was more about the players feeling the weight of expectations and wanting to win the World Cup. The first step is to focus on beating Congo.”
Led by 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who is hoping to score in his sixth World Cup, Portugal dominated the ball for long periods. However, DR Congo sat deep, absorbed the pressure and looked dangerous on the counterattack in the Group K clash.
The African side, backed in the stadium by President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, gradually grew into the game. Their persistence paid off in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa headed home Arthur Masuaku’s cross to score DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal.
Portugal came out with greater urgency after the break. The first half had lacked intensity, with their talented midfield keeping possession but creating very little.
DR Congo almost pulled off a surprise victory when Cedric Bakambu hit the post in the second half. At the other end, Ronaldo missed two chances from close range as he made his record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance, matching Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Martinez tried to spark his side by taking off Bernardo Silva at half-time, but he kept Ronaldo on the pitch in the hope that Portugal’s all-time leading scorer could produce a moment of brilliance.
Instead, Ronaldo endured a quiet game. The oldest player ever to start a World Cup match saw little of the ball as DR Congo’s defenders gave him very little space inside the penalty area.
Portugal’s last World Cup ended in a quarter-final defeat to another African nation, Morocco, in 2022. Their best finish at the tournament remains third place in 1966.
