Portugal’s FIFA World Cup campaign began with disappointment as Roberto Martínez’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their Group K opener. Despite dominating possession for long spells, the UEFA Nations League champions lacked cutting edge in the final third and were punished by a spirited Congolese side.
There was an emotional backdrop to the evening. Before kick-off, Portugal captain Bruno Fernandes revealed that the squad would carry the memory of late teammate Diogo Jota with them throughout the tournament. The Liverpool forward, who tragically lost his life in a car accident last year, would have been a key figure in Portugal’s World Cup squad.
Portugal couldn’t have asked for a better start to their campaign. Just five minutes and 36 seconds into the contest, João Neves opened the scoring with a superb header from Pedro Neto’s inviting cross. The PSG midfielder, one of the shortest players on the pitch, timed his run perfectly and guided his effort into the far corner. It was the second-fastest goal of the tournament, behind only Felix Nmecha’s strike for Germany against Curaçao.
The early breakthrough seemed to set the tone for a comfortable Portuguese evening. Portugal dominated possession and completed nearly four times as many passes as their opponents in the opening half. Yet DR Congo gradually settled into the game and began creating chances through Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa.
DR Congo’s reward arrived just before halftime. Arthur Masuaku delivered a teasing cross from a short corner routine and Wissa rose unmarked inside the box to glance a header beyond Diogo Costa. The goal was historic, becoming DR Congo’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup.
Portugal’s problems were compounded by the absence of defensive leader Rúben Dias. The centre-back missed the match after suffering a muscular injury in a pre-tournament friendly. Martínez confirmed before the game that Dias was not fully fit and was rested as a precaution.
The second half followed a familiar pattern. Portugal controlled the ball but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Cristiano Ronaldo, appearing in a record-equalling sixth World Cup, endured a frustrating evening. The veteran forward saw little of the ball, had a goal-bound chance drift wide and was largely kept quiet by the disciplined Congolese defence.
João Cancelo thought he had restored Portugal’s lead with a spectacular overhead kick, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Ronaldo missed another late opportunity, while Bakambu also squandered a promising chance at the other end.
In the end, DR Congo celebrated a hard-earned point, while Portugal were left searching for answers after an underwhelming start to their World Cup journey.
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