Yoane Wissa made history for the Democratic Republic of the Congo by scoring their first ever World Cup finals goal, earning a 1-1 draw with Portugal in a Group H clash. The Brentford forward's header just before half-time cancelled out João Neves' early strike, giving the DRC their first point on the global stage.
Ronaldo fails to shine
Cristiano Ronaldo, playing despite FIFA lifting a suspension, was largely anonymous throughout the match. The Portuguese captain had two half-chances but failed to convert, with his lack of involvement raising questions about his role in the team. Manager Roberto Martínez defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch, saying the team's lack of tempo in the final third hindered the attack.
DRC's resilient performance
The DRC, coached by Sébastien Desabre, showed tremendous grit after falling behind early. Veteran striker Cédric Bakambu led the line tirelessly, forcing saves from Diogo Costa and missing a chance to put his side ahead. The team's defensive discipline frustrated Portugal, who struggled to create clear chances after the equalizer.
Desabre praised his players' toughness, noting the challenging buildup that included a three-week quarantine in Belgium due to the Ebola outbreak. The small but vocal DRC fanbase, mostly expats, celebrated wildly as their team secured a historic result.
Portugal's concerns
Portugal dominated possession but lacked incision. Neves' sixth-minute header, from Pedro Neto's cross, was their only goal. Martínez acknowledged the team's fear of losing after the equalizer, which led to a disjointed performance. The introduction of Francisco Conceição added width, but Ronaldo missed two chances from his crosses.
The result leaves Portugal with work to do in the group, while the DRC can dream of further progress. Martínez compared the draw to Argentina's opening loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022, suggesting it could be a wake-up call for his side.
