Portugal draws 1-1 with DR Congo in World Cup opener as Ronaldo extends goalless streak to 10 games

Early blow and immediate setback

Portugal took the lead in the fifth minute at Houston's NRG Stadium. João Neves, making his World Cup debut, headed home after a quick start that Roberto Martínez praised as "starting the game well." The Congolese response came deep into first-half stoppage time, when Wissa exploited a set-piece routine to head unmarked past Diogo Costa. A second Portuguese goal by João Cancelo was ruled out for offside, and the 1-1 score held to the final whistle.

A World Cup is a tournament where this happens. In Qatar, Argentina loses to Saudi Arabia and wins the World Cup, Spain against Switzerland in 2010... It's a process. Talking about winning the World Cup is an emotion that doesn't help win games.

Ronaldo's milestones and frustrations

The 41-year-old captain completed a record of longevity, surpassing the previous mark for oldest outfield starter held by Atiba Hutchinson. Hours earlier, Lionel Messi had scored a hat-trick to match Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record. Ronaldo, by contrast, failed to score for the tenth successive major-tournament fixture (World Cup and European Championship combined), a drought that now spans 802 minutes excluding stoppage time. Immediately after the final whistle, he walked towards the tunnel while teammates thanked supporters, later explaining on Instagram that "it wasn't the start we wanted, but this is far from over."

Nothing was missing. Football is like this. Portugal could have won, but could also have lost.

Coach and players react

Martínez attributed the captain's early exit to unfamiliar FIFA protocols: "The players aren't sure if they need to stay, go to the dressing room, come back... We'll adjust." João Cancelo conceded the team lacked "quality in the final third" and called the draw "a bad taste, we should have done better." João Neves balanced joy at his first World Cup goal with disappointment at the result, while Rafael Leão insisted nothing is lost, noting that the group phase still offers two matches to top Group K.

I'm very happy for my first goal, a bit disappointed by the result. Keep the head up and continue.

Fans keep the faith

In Porto, more than 8,000 supporters gathered at Praça D. João I, filling the square with flags and chants. Spectators from six to 83 said the opening draw did not dent their belief. "Sometimes the first game doesn't go well, but we must always support," said 15-year-old Miguel. Older fans recalled past campaigns and insisted the current squad is one of the strongest the nation has fielded.

Next challenge with clear odds

Portugal turn their attention to a Group K meeting with Uzbekistan. Data cited by Portuguese outlets give the European side an 80% probability of victory, a 13% chance of a draw, and only a 7% likelihood of an Uzbek win. The team will need to translate that statistical favouritism into three points to keep top spot within reach.