Congo DR walk into the Portugal storm as heavy underdogs

Portugal await Wednesday, the world expects a one-sided opener

Your team walks into MetLife Stadium on Wednesday as heavy underdogs. Every preview, every prediction points the same way: Portugal are expected to win comfortably (4) (5). Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line. Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, the names roll off the tongue (4). The Portuguese press is already urging the team to attack from the first whistle, one outlet writing Portugal must "take the caravel forward" against Congo DR (8). Nobody outside your dressing room is giving you a chance. That suits a team with nothing to lose.

Rúben Dias a doubt for the opener

Portugal's backline is not fully intact. Rúben Dias trained separately on Tuesday, the eve of the match, and is now in serious doubt for Wednesday (2) (3). The Manchester City centre-back is dealing with an injury and has been working apart from the group (2). If he misses out, it is a crack in the armour. Your forwards will take note.

Matheus Nunes: 'We hope to win it for him'

Matheus Nunes addressed the press on Tuesday and laid Portugal's motivation bare. "We hope to win it for him," Nunes said, the "him" being Cristiano Ronaldo (7). The Portuguese camp is rallying around their captain. Sentiment is high. Your team will have to match that emotion with something colder, discipline, structure, belief.

Tuanzebe on football changing the world

Axel Tuanzebe spoke ahead of Congo DR's first World Cup in decades, and his words carried weight. "I'm not a politician but we can change the world with football" (6). He was addressing the war back home. The team arrived in the US after a 21-day quarantine in Belgium. They are here now. Wednesday is not just a match, it is a moment.

Uzbekistan and Colombia complete the group picture

Group K also features Colombia and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan have been flagged as a side ready to "crash the party with tactical grit and resolve" (10). Your second group match is against Colombia. Get through Wednesday with something, and the group opens up.