Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the second player to appear in a sixth World Cup but endured a frustrating afternoon as his talented Portugal team were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in Houston.
Ronaldo, 41, was desperate to score in a record sixth edition of the World Cup but failed to land a shot on target as Congo held on to claim a surprise draw following Yoane Wissa’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal with a sixth-minute header but despite the attacking talents of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto, Roberto Martinez’s side struggled to create clear chances.
Ronaldo had two opportunities in the second half but Portugal also failed to supply the captain with clear openings and his best chance of the match was scuffed wide. DR Congo, meanwhile, secured their first ever point at a World Cup finals.
It came a night after Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi made World Cup history of his own by scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening win over Algeria.
Follow all the action below:
Read More10 men and a statue: Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
Roberto Martinez accused of being ‘scared’ to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo at World Cup
The five all-time World Cup top scorers after Messi equals record
Portugal vs DR Congo - World Cup 2026
- FULL TIME! Ronaldo and Portugal frustrated by DR Congo in shock World Cup draw
- DR Congo celebrate their first point at World Cup finals as Portugal held
- 45+5' GOAL! Yoane Wissa equalises with last touch of first half [POR 1-1 DRC]
- 6' GOAL! Joao Neves heads Portugal in front after early pressure [POR 1-0 DRC]
Neves' gong
21:45 , Alan SmithJoao Neves has been given the player of the match award - which seems a little harsh on several DR Congo players.
10 men and a statue
21:20 , Alan SmithRonaldo’s goalless display against DR Congo is the latest warning for Roberto Martinez, writes Richard Jolly, though there is little sign that the Portugal manager will take the decision to remove the 41-year-old for the sake of the team
Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
Clichy: Portugal 'not natural' with Ronaldo
21:00 , Alan Smith“We said at the beginning of the game that Cristiano Ronaldo will be helping young players because of his character, because of his experience, but sometimes unconsciously those kinds of players can take too much light,” he tells BBC.
“When you take them out you can see players take responsibility. This is where the choices of the manager are important because during 90 minutes we were saying will he take him out because we know he has a goal in him.
“But at the same time, the game is not natural because of him being on the pitch. They tried to go wide because they tried to reach him. Maybe if he wasn't there they can link up more in the middle of the pitch.”
Look away now, Cristiano
20:45 , Alan Smith
'Poor performance'
20:30 , Alan SmithWayne Rooney, speaking on BBC, has some fair criticism for Portugal.
“The first game of the group is so important and for Portugal to perform the way they have performed, you want to see more energy, I want to see more legs in the team. I want to see players run past Cristiano Ronaldo at times. I think it was a poor performance from Portugal.”
Game by numbers
20:15 , Alan SmithPortugal ended that match with a dismal 0.64 on xG, compared to DR Congo’s 0.82.
They had 75% percent of the ball, completed 724 of 783 passes, but their only attempt on target was the goal.
DRC, by comparison, registered eight attempts and two on target.
Praise for DRC
20:05 , Alan SmithThe story should really be about DR Congo and a performance that was full of grit and, save for their early concession, some rather fine defending. Wissa’s goal was very well taken too and they should have too much for Uzbekistand and will give Colombia a good game - four points is almost certain to be enough to progress as third-place finisher.
Ronaldo departs quietly
20:02 , Alan SmithPerhaps Portugal would have been better off if Ronaldo had been suspended. He stands on the pitch with hands on hips after what was a bit of a stinker. His teammates could have done a bit more to feed him but he was ineffective and anonymous for long stretches.
When the two half-chances arrived in the second half, he snatched at both, sending them wide. Now he heads down the tunnel, thousands of fans waving manically at him. He applauds back but there will be a big sense of frustration and disappointment.
Full-time! Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:59 , Alan SmithIt ends level in Houston.
A point will be celebrated more by DR Congo than Portugal, whose dominance of possession did not yield very much in the final third.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:58 , Alan Smith94’ - Maybe there is a chance. Semedo wins a corner of Kayembe. Fernandes is coming across to take it. But, yet again, the goalkeeper plucks it out of the air.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:57 , Alan Smith93’ - Into the final two minutes. Can either fashion one last chance? Right now it appears unlikely.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:56 , Alan Smith92’ - Araujo is booked for a petulant foul on Wissa near halfway, using his right arm to drag the DRC forward down by the neck.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:55 , Alan Smith90’ - Fernandes has a go from range but strikes wide with a left-footer. There will be five added minutes. A draw is not a complete shocker for Portugal but they will have expected far more.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:52 , Alan Smith88’ - Are they both running out of steam? Cancelo makes a foray down the left but sends a lazy enough pass in which proves meat and two veg for Mpasi-Nzau. He tries to set a counter away but that is ended by Semedo, who brings down Wissa and earns himself a booking.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:49 , Alan Smith85’ - Another double DRC change: Banza replaces Bakumbu, who has worked himself to near exhaustion, while Wan-Bissaka is off and Kalulu is on in his stead.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:47 , Alan Smith83’ - Ramos is on for Portugal.... but it is Vitinha who makes way, meaning a change of shape and Ronaldo remains.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:44 , Alan Smith80’ - Conceicao thinks he has won a free-kick just to the right of DRC’s penalty area, checked by Kapuadi after Fernandes set him away down the right flank. But the offside flag goes up.
Goncalo Ramos is getting ready to come on.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:41 , Alan Smith77’ - Semedo wins a corner, his cross blocked by Moutoussamy. Fernandes floats it straight into Mpasi-Nzau’s hands. DR Congo break through Sadiki, he squads to Bakambu but the veteran striker shoots wide. They remain a threat on the break.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:39 , Alan Smith75’ - Two changes for DR Congo: Pickel and Joris Kayembe are on, Masuaku and Edo Kayembe are off.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:38 , Alan Smith73’ - Conceicao finds Ronaldo again. He is under a lot of pressure and sends his chance wide. At least Portugal injected some pace into their play.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:37 , Alan Smith73’ - It is still so slow from Portugal in the build-up. When will they start taking some risks?
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:35 , Alan Smith71’ - Leao and Semedo are on for Portugal. Neto and Mendes step off. We’re playing again.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:31 , Alan Smith68’ - And that is time for the hydration break.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:30 , Alan Smith66’ - Ronaldo has had 19 touches.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:28 , Alan Smith63’ - DRC send in a long throw from the left that is nodded on for Kapuadi to head wide.
Portugal are becoming a bit tetchy, whining at the referee over marginal calls, and presently look a little lost for alternative ideas beyond playing short passes sideways. And, really, you cannot even blame Ronaldo for their passivity because the service to him has been poor.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:26 , Alan Smith62’ - Portugal’s possession share has dropped to 76% for those still keeping track. Their threat remains minimal.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:24 , Alan Smith60’ - Portugal have a corner. This time Mendes takes it towards Ronaldo but Wissa gets to it first, heading away. A waste.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:23 , Alan Smith59’ - Mendes is down injured after Wan-Bissaka collides with him. Portugal kick the ball out of play. Mendes will be fine, it’s just a knock on the ankle, and does not require treatment. DRC give the ball back from the throw-in, which was very generous of them.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:21 , Alan Smith57’ - DRC’s first change sees Mukau replaced by Sadiki, of Sunderland.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:21 , Alan Smith57’ - Now Bakumbu hits the posts after bustling Fernandes off the ball. No matter, it is a free out, the referee deeming Fernandes was fouled.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:20 , Alan Smith56’ - Straight up the other end Bakambu wins a corner. Masuaku drives it in and Veiga gets a strong head to it.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:19 , Alan Smith55’ - Cancelo thinks he has scored... but the offside flag goes straight up. VAR has a quick look, confirming the decision. It comes after Fernandes floats a lovely pass on to the chest of Neves, who then passes to Cancelo but the full-back is certainly off as he finishes acrobatically.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:18 , Alan Smith53’ - Really good from Tuanzebe, who makes a vital interception after Mendes sends a tricky pass in from the left towards Neves. Ronaldo did feature prominently in the build-up, which isn’t happening too often, by playing a disguised pass to Mendes.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:16 , Alan Smith52’ - Not all the innovations are bad. DRC are punished for taking too long over a goal kick, meaning Portugal now get a corner. Fernandes, who ironically takes quite a while to trot over, tries to find Ronaldo but it is defended well.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:14 , Alan Smith51’ - Bakambu flashes an effort across goal which is saved by Costa. He is flagged offside but, again, there are more and more signs of DRC growing in stature here.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:12 , Alan Smith49’ - Neto puts in a fine cross from the left towards Conceicao. The substitute falls over, forlornly asks for a penalty before realising it is a goal kick.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:12 , Alan Smith48’ - Now, then. DRC have started this half with a decent spell of possession. It ends when Wan-Bissaka dribbles down the right but runs out of space under pressure from Veiga, but that is a much stronger sign of intent.
Restarted! Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
19:09 , Alan SmithWe’re back underway.
Portugal change at break
19:08 , Alan SmithThe teams are back out and it looks like Portugal will be making a change. Conceicao is coming on for Silva, who has his tracksuit on and is sitting on the bench. He was booked.
The half-time stats
18:55 , Alan SmithPortugal had 80% of the ball, they made 488 passes compared to DR Congo’s 118. And yet DR Congo had three times the attempts (6-2) and one more on target despite trailing touches in their opponents’ box 11-3.
Most importantly of all - and this the only statistic that really matters - they are level at the break.
Half-time! Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
18:53 , Alan SmithAnd that is the final act of a first half in which the Leopards barely touched the ball but somehow find themselves level.
GOAL! Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (Wissa, 45+5)
18:52 , Alan Smith50’ - The corner is taken short but is then eventually swung in by Masuaku for the Newcastle man to head in a brilliant equaliser! Having been utterly dominated, they will go into the break level and their travelling supporters have absolutely erupted.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:50 , Alan Smith48’ - Moutoussamy has a go from range, winning a corner that is cleared. DR Congo recycle the ball and Mbemba wins a second corner, via a deflection off Fernandes. The DR Congo captain is down with a sore ankle having appeared to twist it when crossing. He will be OK to continue, though is hobbling into the box awaiting the delivery.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:47 , Alan Smith45’ - There will be four minutes added on.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:46 , Alan Smith44’ - Portugal put another several dozen short passes together before Cancelo falls over on the edge of the area, searching for a foul when it was simply a poor piece of control. The crowd boo. Not quite sure why.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:43 , Alan Smith40’ - It’s becoming easier and easier to draw comparisons with Spain’s performance against Cape Verde ... with the key difference being Portugal have actually scored. It’s the same sort of dominance and pretty passing without much action in front of goal.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:40 , Alan Smith39’ - Ronaldo is waving dramatically for the ball to be crossed to him. But the match is taking part elsewhere and he is very much a peripheral figure - so far.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:38 , Alan Smith37’ - Neto threads one through towards Neves on the underlap. It almost comes off. Despite the dominance, Portugal’s only attempt so far was for the goal. So maybe DR Congo, by keeping it tight, will grow in confidence as the match wears on.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:36 , Alan Smith34’ - Wissa tries to put Costa under pressure and it does lead to a turnover. DR Congo need a bit more of that.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:34 , Alan Smith32’ - Mbemba is harshly booked for leaping to meet an aerial ball alongside Neto. The Portugal player goes down injured, earning a free kick. That is a poor decision.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:32 , Alan Smith30’ - Half an hour in and Portugal’s possession share is at 82%.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:30 , Alan Smith28’ - Neto tries to find Ronaldo down the left but his cross is a bit soft and Mbemba puts it out for a corner. Silva takes it short to Mendes and Portugal return to passing it around patiently.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:28 , Alan Smith27’ - We’re back underway.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:25 , Alan Smith23’ - Time for the hydration break. DR Congo already look in need of a rest.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:24 , Alan Smith22’ - Portugal are back passing it around for fun, though they are not progressing up the pitch in much of a hurry.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:19 , Alan Smith18’ - Mendes is sent through by an exquisite pass from Fernandes but Wan-Bissaka produces a lovely recovery tackle to win the ball and Mpasi-Nzau emerges to make a keen block. From the next phase, Silva sends a half chance wide.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:18 , Alan Smith16’ - Portugal get back on the ball and Ronaldo attempts a bicycle kick that does not come off, meeting fresh air rather than the ball.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:15 , Alan Smith14’ - Neat stuff from Bakambu, who weaves himself into enough space to take a pot shot that ends up being deflected for a corner. Masuaku takes it low and short, allowing Portugal to break. They need to be more ruthless in those areas.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:14 , Alan Smith13’ - Bernardo Silva is booked for a stretched and high boot that lands on the ankle of Kayembe. Ronaldo protests that it’s his first offence but that does not matter because it’s a poor tackle.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:12 , Alan Smith11’ - Better from DR Congo. Wan-Bissak has a cross from the right cleared. It breaks to Wissa and he flashes a shot wide on his weaker foot.
Portugal 1-0 DR Congo
18:10 , Alan Smith8’ - That was the second earliest goal of the tournament so far, behind Nmecha for Germany, but it is hard to say how much of this is about Portugal brilliance or DR Congo perhaps being overawed by the occasion. The reality is somewhere in between.
Since the restart Portugal have gone straight back to monopolising possession, their opponents have no interest yet in committing people forward.
GOAL! Portugal 1-0 DR Congo (Neves, 6)
18:08 , Alan SmithAnd there’s the opener. It’s a lovely guided header from Neves after Neto’s outswinging delivery from the left. So simple, so effective. DR Congo may be facing a very long day.
Portugal 0-0 DR Congo
18:07 , Alan Smith5’ - Pass, pass, pass. This is the most dominant start to a match so far - even more so than Germany against Curacao. Cancelo now whizzes a cross in from the right that causes brief panic...
Portugal 0-0 DR Congo
18:05 , Alan Smith4’ - DR Congo have now had one touch, a clearance straight back to a red shirt. Another spell of tippy-tappy ends with Fernandes tries to play a diagonal pass that is cleared. DR Congo try to break but Cancelo stops Moutoussamy with a quick foul.
Portugal 0-0 DR Congo
18:03 , Alan Smith3’ - We are into the third minute and DR Congo are yet to touch the ball. Ronaldo has just had his first touch, an accurate pass, and the crowd cheers.
Kick-off! Portugal 0-0 DR Congo
18:01 , Alan Smith1’ - And we are underway in Houston. Portugal kick off, playing from left to right as we watch. They choose against booting it straight out of play.
The kits
17:58 , Alan SmithPortugal are in all red with the slightest bit of green trim. DR Congo, whose anthem was belted out by their travelling supporters, are in bright blue with a red trim.
TV footage shows the family of Diogo Jota sitting in the stands.
Here they come
17:53 , Alan SmithHere come the teams. Making the now familiarly long L-shaped walk from tunnel to centre circle. We’re moments away from day seven of the World Cup getting underway.
'Make his own headlines'
17:48 , Alan SmithOlivier Giroud, back on our TV screens in the UK, thinks Ronaldo will be keen to prove a point.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will want to make his own headlines after seeing Erling Haaland scoring and Kylian Mbappe making history [to] break my goalscoring record [for France] and Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick. He will want to be centre stage and show the world he is still here.”
How Ronaldo (and Messi) can define World Cup
17:42 , Miguel DelaneyOn 11 July in Kansas City, there’s a fixture that many at the top of Fifa are already giddy about. Barron Trump is even said to have noted it.
Right now it’s just the quarter-final between the winners of matches 95 and 96, but it could well become the first World Cup meeting between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Should Argentina and Portugal both win their groups and proceed, that is where Messi and Ronaldo would come together, six tournaments on from their 2006 World Cup debuts and a collective 48 appearances so far, with more history to be made to stand among the immortals. The first meeting will also be the last, if this is indeed to be the final World Cup for both players.
How Messi and Ronaldo can still define World Cup 2026 despite their waning powers
Vitinha: the metronome
17:36 , Alan SmithThe focus on Ronaldo really does distract from all the talent operating behind him.
Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) on X
A country for old men
17:28 , Alan Smith
Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) on X
Setting the scene
17:19 , Alan SmithFans are beginning to arrive in Houston’s stadium
Fernandes dreaming of glory
17:10 , Alan SmithThe Manchester United star, in an in-house piece with Fifa, has said the aim is to bring the trophy home to Lisbon.
“The dream is to be world champions. The key is to focus on what we can do to change the fact that Portugal have never won it and become the first side to bring the coveted World Cup back home.”
Asked about the fans - because there is always a question around the supporters in these interviews - he adds: “They have total belief in us. They believe we’ve got the quality to be the best team in the world, reach the World Cup final and be crowned champions. I think we need to take the positives from that and channel it into energy. We have to understand that our people are by our side and genuinely believe in our national team.”
Ronaldo's World Cup record
16:58 , Alan SmithHe has eight World Cup goals to his name so far, one short of Eusebio's Portuguese record but some way short of where Mbappe and Messi currently reside.
DR Congo XI
16:50 , Alan SmithMpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.
Portugal XI
16:46 , Alan SmithD Costa; Mendes, Araujo, Veiga, Cancelo; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, B Silva; Ronaldo
Tonight's referee
16:40 , Alan SmithAbdulrahman Al-Jassim from Qatar will be the man with the whistle in Houston.
The 38-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2013. He was a VAR in 2018 and took charge of three games in Doha three and a bit years ago.
'The striker, the killer'
16:32 , Alan SmithIf anyone was in doubt over Martinez’s pre-tournament stance towards Ronaldo, just have a read of his pre-match comments below. The question, however, is if the main man struggles in this one, how willing will the head coach be to make a change?
“It’s his sixth World but I can tell you that, internally, it feels like his first when it comes to intensity, emotions and how important it is to be ready,” said Martinez on Tuesday. “He’s essential to the team - he’s the striker, the killer, he can open up space for other players and he’s got excellent numbers.”
DR Congo's star man - and a bit of Mukau magic
16:24 , Alan SmithStar player – Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United: The forward arrives in the US following a campaign of frustration at St James’ Park, where the 29-year-old failed to kick on following a big money move because of a nagging knee injury. Fit now, if he can shine like he did during a final campaign at Brentford their chances of making it out of the group grow immeasurably.
Breakout talent – Ngal'ayel Mukau, Lille: One of several players born in Belgium who instead chose to represent the nation of their elders, the tidy midfielder stood out for Lille this season by delivering a series of all-action box-to-box performances. At 21 he appears a player capable of doing everything well, if not yet dazzling in one specific area.
Portugal's star man - and it's not Ronaldo
16:16 , Alan SmithStar player – Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United: The assist machine who was voted by experts and his peers as Premier League player of the season instead of several Arsenal players is the creative king for his country too, despite their envious selection of playmakers. If he can get on the same wavelength as Ronaldo, or whoever plays up top, early on then they may well thrive.
Breakout talent – Joao Neves, Paris Saint-Germain: This squad is so jam packed with household names that it is impossible to name a breakout in the truest sense. But the PSG midfielder appears the most probable to reach a new level of global appreciation following a stunning campaign. At 21, he is set to elevate his status from one of the world’s best young midfielders to one of the top central players full stop.
DR Congo squad in full
16:08 , Alan SmithGoalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Elia Meshack (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larissa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngalayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)
Coach: Sebastien Desabre
Portugal squad in full
16:00 , Alan SmithGoalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villareal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Coach: Roberto Martinez
DR Congo preview
15:50 , Alan SmithWhen The Leopards made their only previous World Cup appearance, in 1974 as Zaire, they were Africa’s sole representative. This time they are one of 10 and seem a dead cert to acquit themselves more positively.
That would not take much considering the side 52 years ago failed to score and conceded 14 in their three group games, including nine to Yugoslavia, but Sebastien Desabre will also bring a team that should be imbued with enough confidence to make the knockouts if they can defeat Uzbekistan.
Axel Tuanzebe was the hero of an elongated qualifying campaign, scoring the extra-time winner in their intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, and he is one of several familiar to fans of English club football.
Noah Sadiki, fresh off an impressive campaign at Sunderland, is vital in midfield while Yoane Wissa, the undisputed star, carries the pressure of finding some magic in open play for a team that is organised and difficult to break down.
World Cup 2026 – Group K guide: Ronaldo puzzle could scupper Portugal’s hopes again
Portugal preview
15:40 , Alan SmithWhile those fixated upon superstardom rather than this being a team sport will be salivating at the prospect of Ronaldo facing Lionel Messi in the quarter-finals for the first time at a World Cup - should they both reach that stage as group winners - this is another tournament in which how Portugal’s biggest name is managed will be decisive.
If Roberto Martinez can involve him sufficiently to ensure minimal histrionics without compromising their ability to win matches, there is little reason why a squad so packed with talent cannot reach the latter stages. Yet if Martinez is to persist with Ronaldo it is easy to see them exiting with a whimper.
Goncalo Ramos may have been used sparingly by Paris Saint-Germain this season but he appears a much better fit up top - regardless of personality and status. Few squads have such an impressive midfield unit, while there is plenty of strength at the back.
Predicted XIs
15:30 , Alan SmithConfirmed team news will arrive around 4:45pm BST but here is how both could potentially line up
Portugal XI: D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; J Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto.
DR Congo XI: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu
Ronaldo red card controversy
15:20 , Alan SmithA reminder that Ronaldo was sent off in his last competitive match for Portugal - against Ireland in a qualifying defeat in Dublin - but had the last two games of a three-match ban suspended by Fifa ... so he would not miss the start of this tournament.
He has since featured in friendlies - which have not quite gone swimmingly.
How to watch
15:10 , Alan SmithViewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on BBC 1, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with coverage starting at 5:30pm BST.
Is Portugal v DR Congo on TV? How to watch World Cup 2026 match
Welcome to the Ronaldo and co show
15:00 , Alan SmithHello and welcome to live coverage of Portugal vs DR Congo with the Group K opener getting underway in Houston, Texas at 6pm BST or midday local time.
The attention will be on Cristiano Ronaldo for abundant obvious reasons - he will be the hero or villain in the next month depending on how far Portugal go.
Yet they do face a moderately difficult start to their campaign against a DR Congo side whose form guide suggests no shortage of hard work with a sprinkling of unpredictable talent.
It should be good fun and you can follow every meaningful kick right here.
