◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Cristiano Ronaldo misfire as Portugal were shockingly forced into a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo..

Portugal were frustratingly forced into a shock 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, marking a disappointing start to the campaign.

In the first half, Neves and Wissa both scored with headers. In the second half, Cancelo's goal from a bicycle kick was disallowed, Bakambu's close-range shot hit the post, and Ronaldo's two close-range attempts both somehow went wide. Ultimately, Portugal were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo. After this round of matches, Les Léopards and Seleção das Quinas are currently ranked 2nd and 3rd in the group with 1 point each.

First Half

In the 7th minute, Pedro Neto crossed into the box from the left wing, where João Neves rose high and scored with a header in the box, giving Portugal an early 1-0 lead!

3 minutes later, Aaron Wan-Bissaka crossed into the box from the right wing. His pass was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by João Cancelo. Yoan Wissa quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a left-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot ball went just slughtly wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

In the 17th minute, Bruno Fernandes played an overhead pass from near the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Nuno Mendes quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the left side of the box. The ball was initially parried and cleared off not far away by Lionel Mpasi. Fernandes quickly followed up, picked up the loose ball and dribbled into the left side of the box before taking a left-footed follow-up shot, but his shot went wide of the right side of the post.

In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Artur Masuaku passes horizontally from the left wing. Samuel Moutoussamy quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area. His shot struck his teammate Ngal'ayel Mukau's back and deflected high over the bar.

3 minutes later, the Democratic Republic of Congo earned a deadlly corner kick opportunity. Mukau took the corner by taking a short tactical corner. After Masuaku took over, he crossed into the box from the right wing, where Wissa rose high and scored with a header in the box, leveling the score at 1-1! This was Les Léopards' first-ever World Cup goal in their team history!

At halftime, Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo temporarily enter the break tied at 1-1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued In the 49th minute, Mukau passes horizontally from the right wing. Cedric Bakambu got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his right foot at a difficult angle from the right side of the box, but his shot was saved by Diogo Costa.

5 minutes later, Fernandes crossed into the box from the left wing. João Cancelo then half-volleyed the ball into the net from the center of the box after Neves had stopped the ball with his chest in the box, however the referee immediately blew his whistle for offside, and the goal was disallowed!

In the 56th minute, Mukau passes horizontally from the right side of the box. His pass was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by Fernandes. After picking up the loose ball, Bakambu took a few steps before volleying the ball with his right foot from a difficult angle a very close distance in the box, but his shot unfortunately hit the top right corner of the post and bounced off. The Democratic Republic of Congo missed a golden opportunity to come from behind and take the lead over Portugal!

11 minutes later, Francisco Conceição passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed the ball from a very close distance in the box with his right foot, but his shot somehow went slightly just wide of the right side of the post!

In the 73rd minute, Conceição again passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Ronaldo, again, volleyed the ball from a very close distance in the box with his right foot upon receiving the pass, but his shot somehow went slightly just wide of the right side of the post yet again! The legendary star's continued poor form since pre-tournament warm-up matches is really worrying!

3 minutes later, Noah Sadiki passed the ball back from the left side of the box. Bakambu quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a right-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the 89th minute, Portugal launched a quick counter-attack. Cancelo intercepted the ball and made a straight pass from the right wing. Fernandes got the ball and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot went just slightly wide of the right side of the post.

When the final whistle is blown, the Democratic Republic of Congo surprisingly forced Portugal into a shock 1-1 draw.

Image source: Internet / Associated Press