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.
Ronaldo record but disappointment
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.
"Of course we had expected a victory," Neves said. "of course it gets to you. We played well, but didn’t come away with the three points in the end. Still, we’re sticking together."
Congo delight
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.
"It is a tremendous source of pride to have earned Congo DR’s first-ever point at the World Cup, as well as its first goal. The players showed incredible commitment and selflessness," coach Sebastien Desabre said.
Portugal start strong but then fade
The crowd already started to roar when footage of Ronaldo in the tunnel was shown and it got even louder every time he touched the ball after the kick-off.
But the opening goal in a strong Portuguese start was produced by others as Paris Saint-Germain's Neves headed Pedro Neto's cross into the bottom right corner for 1-0 six minutes into the game.
Portugal however failed to follow up and Congo grew into the game and were level in stoppage time when Newcastle United's Wissa had lots of space on a corner kick to head the equalizer high into the net.
It was the first ever goal for the nation in their fourth World Cup match, having as Zaire lost their three matches in 1974 with a goal difference of 0-14.
No more goals as Congo hold on
The ball was in Congo's net in the 55th from Cancelo's artistic effort but he was offside when Neves chested Bruno Fernandes' chipped ball in his direction.
Portugal finally became more dangerous and Ronaldo made his presence felt but under pressure from defenders aimed his shots wide.
Congo almost stole a goal on the counter but Cedric Bakambu fired wide left. Bakambo had earlier hit the post but the referee had blown the whistle before, ruling he had fouled Bruno Fernandes.
