Congo DR hold Portugal 1–1 and the world can't stop talking about Ronaldo

Portugal 1–1, your World Cup is alive

Congo DR walked into the World Cup and walked out with a point. Portugal 1–1 República Democrática do Congo in the Group K opener Wednesday (1). Rúben Dias scored for Portugal, but your team held firm. Nobody expected this group to open level, and yet here you are, one point, everything to play for.

The world is talking about Ronaldo, not you

That is a compliment. The entire post-match conversation has been about Cristiano Ronaldo and whether he should still start for Portugal. Thierry Henry put it bluntly: "El equipo necesita marcar goles, no vos", the team needs goals, not you (3). Daniel Riolo piled on: "Il pense qu'il n'a pas vieilli", he thinks he hasn't aged (7). Portuguese pundits are debating whether Ronaldo should play 90 minutes (4). Your team held Portugal to a draw and the narrative is all about their problems.

Portugal's press are rattled

Tribuna Expresso described the match as a series of repeated errors that force Roberto Martínez into difficult choices (5). The same outlet called the next fixture an "operação Uzbequistão", a rescue operation (6). That is the mood in the Portuguese camp. Your team caused that.

Fan reactions

There is a video circulating of Congo DR fans getting the equalizer notification on their phones before it showed up on the TV broadcast. Pure chaos, pure joy. That moment is its own story. Watch here