DR Congo hold Portugal to a shock draw in FIFA World Cup 2026 clash

The Portuguese began the match confidently, pegging back DR Congo to their own half for the first five minutes before Paris Saint-Germain star Joao Neves placed his well taken header into the net in the sixth minute.

However, the Leopards began to show signs of fighting back, with Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa missing the target from a speculative attempt in the tenth minute.

The DRC wingbacks began to move further up field, creating a more balanced affair whilst also threating Portugal's goal.

The African side were finally rewarded for their effort when Wissa rose to put a powerful header past Diogo Costa on the stroke of half-time, his nations first goal in the tournament's history.

Roberto Martinez introduced Juventus winger Francisco Conceincao at half time as he looked to regain the lead against the lower ranked opposition.

The European side dominated large parts of the second half but failed to convert their chances as a disciplined DR Congo held firm and counter-attacked dangerously as neither side could find a second goal, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wissa coming closest to scoring. 

The result sees Portugal fail to beat an African nation for the second consecutive occasion since the World Cup 2022 quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

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