Portugal v Congo DR
Formations & Lineups
Match Leaders
Game Information
Houston, Texas, USA
Referee:Abdulrahman Al-Jassim
Match Timeline & MomentumMomentumThis graph shows how much pressure a team applied during the match. Taller columns indicate stronger attacking periods, based on things like possession, shots, goals, big chances, and other key stats.
Commentary
It's all over in Houston, as DR Congo pull off one of the greatest ever World Cup shocks, drawing 1–1 with the might of Portugal in their Group K opener! The first half proved to be a tale of two headers with Joao Neves putting Portugal in front after just six minutes, but they were never able to truly take control of proceedings and allowed Wissa to equalise right on the stroke of half-time. Portugal's second-half efforts didn't prove to be much better, registering 0.69 xG and seeing only a goal disallowed when Cancelo's overhead kick was correctly ruled offside. Two openings for Ronaldo went astray before Cancelo and Fernandes went close late on, yet Mpasi was never truly tested between the sticks for DR Congo, and instead played a key role in setting up their frequent counter-attacks. Bakambu rattled the post – only for a free-kick to be given against him – before firing over from Sadiki's cutback, and Kapuadi also headed wide in the latter stages as the Leopards registered 0.82 xG in total. Far from holding on for a point, DR Congo looked more likely to win the game than Portugal in that second half, as Group K opens with a shock draw that very few would have seen coming. It's over to Colombia and Uzbekistan for now, and both nations will fancy their chances in a group that has been blown wide open by the heroics of DR Congo!
FULL-TIME: PORTUGAL 1–1 DR CONGO.
Another late corner is won by Portugal, but once again Mpasi sees Fernandes' delivery coming all the way and claims it unchallenged in the air!

Araujo absolutely clatters Wissa after the DR Congo striker flicks the ball past him from a throw-in, and had that challenge come a few yards further towards Portugal's goal, the Benfica defender's card may not have just been a yellow one there!
We're into the first of FIVE added minutes in Houston – can DR Congo hold on for a point, or even go on to claim all three here?
WIDE!!! DR Congo have their backs to the wall and crowd the box as Fernandes takes aim from 20 yards, but the Manchester United playmaker's left-footed strike is pulled just wide of Mpasi's near post!
Shot Map
Team Stats
0.65
Expected Goals
0.87
75%
Possession
25%
1 (14%)
Shots on Goal
2 (25%)
0
Big Chances Created
1
0
Big Chances Missed
0
724 (92%)
Accurate Passes
195 (78%)
34
Duels Won
42
1
Saves
0
9
Fouls Committed
10
Game OddsOdds by
FIFA World Cup Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| Congo DR | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Portugal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
FIFA World Cup News

World Cup Daily: Ronaldo starts crucial game for Portugal; England in action
14m

Every team's championship, group odds for the 2026 World Cup
39m

Laurens: A Barcelona move for Julian Alvarez is 'impossible'
1h





