Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal held to 1-1 draw by Congo

HOUSTON— Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Congo on Wednesday of their opening match on the World Cup.

Congo, which was playing on the World Cup for the primary time in 52 years, became the second African nation to make a robust start within the tournament against European competition following Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain on Monday.

READ: World Cup what to know: Cristiano Ronaldo looks to make history

“The World Cup is a tournament where this happens,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martínez, a Spaniard who coached Belgium to the semifinals on the 2018 tournament. “At times the performance will not be as much as the challenge.”

Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators at NRG Stadium, which was mostly stuffed with Portugal supporters, Congo earned its first point on the World Cup after losing all three of its previous matches.

Congo’s Yoane Wissa, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal through the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Many Congolese were prevented from traveling to america for this 12 months’s tournament due to restrictions tied to Ebola.

“There was not enough blue within the stands, however the players are tough they usually know the best way to overcome challenges,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said. “But I’m sure that many Congolese persons are happy with their team today.”

João Neves gave Portugal an early lead within the sixth minute. The 5-foot-7 midfielder headed in a cross from Pedro Neto.

But Yoane Wissa equalized for Congo with a header in stoppage time at the tip of the primary half off a cross from Arthur Masuaku, delighting the small pockets of blue-clad fans. It was the primary World Cup goal for Congo in its history.

READ: World Cup: 3 red cards mar opening Mexico vs South Africa match

“It’s crazy,” Wissa said. “Fifty-two years later we’re here, we’re back. It’s been long, it’s been difficult. So scoring that goal, it means loads for all Congolese, for me, for my family, for the fans who showed up today.”

Congo’s only other World Cup matches got here on the 1974 tournament in West Germany, when the team was often known as Zaire and lost to Scotland 2-0, Yugoslavia 9-0 and Brazil 3-0.

“The goal modified things,” Martínez said. “We almost felt the fear of not losing the sport.”

For Portugal, it was the shortage of goals that stood out. Ronaldo missed shots wide right within the 68th and 73rd minutes. He shook his head in disgust after each.

Martínez was asked if he considered taking out Ronaldo on Wednesday.

“It is not sensible to get the most effective world scorer to be out once you need goals,” the coach said. “The experience of Cristiano within the box is very important. The way in which that he attracts defenders is very important.”

Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to begin a World Cup match, taking the record set 4 years ago by Canada midfielder Atiba Hutchinson. Cameroon great Roger Milla is the oldest outfield player to seem in a World Cup match, coming on in its place at 42 years old through the 1994 World Cup.

Ronaldo also joined Argentina captain Lionel Messi because the only players to seem in six World Cups. Ronaldo can move out of a tie with Messi, who had a hat trick on Tuesday, by becoming the primary player to attain in a sixth tournament if he does manage to get one into the online this 12 months.

Beside Ronaldo’s efforts, Bruno Fernandes had a likelihood to place Portugal ahead within the ninetieth minute but his shot also was wide right.

Portugal looked to have taken the lead within the fifty fifth minute on a bicycle kick by João Cancelo, but he was ruled offside.

Soon after that, Cédric Bakambu’s try and put Congo in front failed when his shot bounced off the near post.

The parents of Diogo Jota, a member of the Portugal team who died alongside his brother in a automobile crash last summer, attended the sport in a luxury suite.