DR Congo make history with first World Cup point against Portugal

History in the opener

Your team just made history. Congo DR 1–1 Portugal in the Group K opener at the 2026 World Cup, and that point is the first your country has ever taken at this tournament (1) (4). The first World Cup goal ever for Congo DR came in this match too.

Kayembe, Mbemba, Mukau, Mpasi, Kapuadi, Masuaku, Moutoussamy, Bakambu, Wissa, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, nearly every starter was formed in a European academy, and together they held Portugal to a draw (4).

Ronaldo had his quietest night ever for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo recorded the fewest touches he has ever had in a Portugal shirt (8). Portugal dominated the ball, 75.4% possession, but managed only seven shots, a historic low for them in a World Cup match (7). Ronaldo walked straight past the press afterwards (1).

Henry and Schmeichel unload on Portugal

The pundits did not hold back. Thierry Henry zeroed in on Ronaldo: "El equipo necesita marcar goles, no vos", the team needs to score goals, not you (3). Peter Schmeichel went for the manager. "Martínez wasted Belgium's golden generation and it looks like he'll do the same with Portugal" (6).

Ronaldo's sisters blame the team

The Ronaldo family saw it differently. His sisters cried foul after the match, calling it a robbery and pointing to a collective failure rather than their brother's performance (9).

Fan-reaktioner

Congo DR fans celebrated this draw like a victory, and they were outnumbered in the stadium (5). The mood among neutral fans on Reddit is split, some are posting Portugal's pass map and picking apart how little they created from all that possession, while others are giving your team full credit for a disciplined, historic performance. See the pass map discussion on r/soccer.