Congo DR Steals a Point in Draw against Portugal

By Daniel Feuerstein | Houston, TX | June 17th, 2026

Group K started playing today in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Europe’s Portugal took on the nation formerly called Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in their modern World Cup debut, from Africa through the Intercontinental Playoffs, as they were looking to make history for their nation. It was a chess match with these two sides, and after the full 90 minutes were done, Congo DR came away with a point as they drew with Portugal one-one.

Portugal, with an early goal, takes the lead

Portugal quickly got off on the front foot at the start of the match. In the first several minutes, they started to control the ball and pass it around. When they got it toward the far side of the pitch, Pedro Neto received the ball, surveyed the area, and saw the space he wanted to place the ball in. He crossed it into that space, allowing Joao Neves to run onto the ball and snap a header past the keeper in the 6th minute, giving Portugal the early lead.

Congo DR earns their first World Cup Goal

Throughout the first half, Congo DR fought hard to score their first-ever World Cup goal and to show the world they deserve to be here. They earned a corner and took it short on the far side. After a couple of passes just outside the area, Arthur Masuaku crossed the ball toward the back post, and waiting for it was Yoane Wissa. He leaped in the air and delivered a snap header inside the near post and scored the first goal for the Congo DR, and put everyone into a frenzy inside the stadium in the fifth minute of first half stoppage time.

Both sides fought hard to get the second goal

Throughout the entire second half, both teams were fighting to get that second goal, but nothing came to fruition. Diogo Costa OF Portugal and Lionel Mpasi of Congo DR were working very hard to keep that ball out of their nets. At the same time, both defenses played strongly and frustrated each other. Once the final whistle blew, Congo DR celebrated their first FIFA World Cup point as they were the second new African side to take a result from one of the top ten-ranked teams in Europe and FIFA, just like Cabo Verde did to Spain in their scoreless draw.

Congo DR found a way to earn a point against Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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