Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo gets record but no goal

FootballSports
18 Jun 2026 • 3:21 AM MYT
DPA International
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Image from: Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo gets record but no goal
Congo's Yoane Wissa (2nd L) scores his side's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group K soccer match between Portugal and DR Congo at Houston Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa

Record-breaker Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game as Portugal were held 1-1 by the Democratic Republic of Congo in another World Cup surprise on Wednesday.

João Neves nodded Portugal ahead in the sixth minute but Yoane Wissa's thumping header on the last play of the first half put Congo level with their first ever World Cup goal.

João Cancelo had a second from a superb overhead kick disallowed for offside in the second half but Portugal mostly lacked the spark to create real danger against Congo who were solid in defence while also threatened on several occasions.

Team captain Ronaldo shot wide in the 68th and 73rd on his most notable moments as he failed to help his team win and become the first player to score at six World Cups.

But Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days and like Argentina captain Lionel Messi the previous day has now played at six World Cups.

Messi won the World Cup for the first time in 2022 while Ronaldo is yet to win football's biggest prize.

Portugal's form on the day did not suggest that this will change as they shared the fate of Spain who were held 0-0 by Cape Verde in their opener on Monday. The team will need improvement in their next Group K games against Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Congo, whose build-up was complicated by the Ebola outbreak in the country, could not only celebrate a first goal but also a first point at a World Cup which should add to their confidence.

Image from: Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo gets record but no goal
Congo's Yoane Wissa (L) celebrates scoring his side's first goal with teammate Samuel Moutoussamy during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group K soccer match between Portugal and DR Congo at Houston Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Image from: Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo gets record but no goal
Portugal's Joao Neves celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group K soccer match between Portugal and DR Congo at Houston Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Image from: Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo gets record but no goal
Portugal's Joao Neves (C) scores his side's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group K soccer match between Portugal and DR Congo at Houston Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa