That's a wrap for our coverage of the encounter between Portugal and DR Congo. But FIFA World Cup action is far from over. The Group L match between England and Croatia is about to begin shortly. Click the link to check out our live coverage of that game! READ MORE

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A game to forget for Cristiano Ronaldo. Just 25 touches all game, and two poor shots off target. Ronaldo's lack of spark summed up Portugal's performance in front of goal, as they failed to make good use of the 75% possession. An off-colour day for the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva too.

A historic moment for DR Congo, they've just secured their first-ever point in FIFA World Cup history. A precious draw to begin their Group K campaign, and it's the least they deserve after a resolute defensive performance today. Against Portugal no less, who are one of the favourites! 

FULL TIME! Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal have been held by DR Congo! It's a 1-1 draw in the end. Portugal took the lead in the sixth minute, but DR Congo equalised on the stroke of half-time. Both sides wasted ample chances, with Portugal's star-studded team failing to create decisive opportunities. 

FT | POR 1-1 COD

Last chance of the 90 is a left-footed shot from outside the box by Bruno Fernandes, but it goes just wide of the target. Portugal continue to put crosses into the box too, but DR Congo's defending has been absolutely sensational.

Five minutes have been added on, will Portugal be able to find a winner?

90' POR 1-1 COD

DR Congo have also got a fair few chances on the counter-attack, but the final ball or shot has been really poor. Had they been a little more efficient, we could've been talking about a potential DR Congo upset win here!

85' POR 1-1 COD

Bruno Fernandes dances into the box, looks to send Leao through, but the pass is poor. DR Congo win the ball back in the middle of the park, and a forward could've been sent through on goal, but the throughpass is blocked by Portugal centre-back Tomas Araujo, who was the last man in the defence! 

76' POR 1-1 COD

Once again, Portugal build up nicely down the right wing, before cutting it back for Ronaldo, who fires it wide. Two shots in quick succession now for Ronaldo, both off target.

74' POR 1-1 COD

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez makes two changes after the second hydration break. Out go Pedro Neto and Nuno Mendes, in come Rafael Leao and Nelson Semedo. It's a straight swap at left-wing between Neto and Leao. But Semedo goes to right-back, with Cancelo coming to left-back.

72' POR 1-1 COD

Lovely build-up play from Portugal and then Conceicao darts into some space in the box. But instead of shooting, he cuts it back for Ronaldo, who had to reach out for the pass. Ronaldo ends up shooting it wide of the goal. Nevertheless, it's his first big involvement of the game.

69' POR 1-1 COD

Portugal are putting a lot of crosses into the box, but DR Congo's defending has been pinpoint. Be it the defensive line or the goalkeeper, they've anticipated the threat perfectly. It speaks volumes that it's been 66 minutes but Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to take a single shot.

66' POR 1-1 COD

Oh dear. For a moment, it seemed like Joao Cancelo had scored the goal of the tournament, but it's offside. Cross in from Bruno Fernandes, chested down to Cancelo who had entered the box. Cancelo then takes it on the bicycle kick, and puts it into the net, but he was in an offside position.

Moments later, DR Congo hit the post at the other end! Drama!

56' POR 1-1 COD

A cross swung in from the left flank by Portugal, but it goes beyond Ronaldo and is met by Conceicao at the far post. However, the 5'5" winger is unable to get good contact on the cross. First involvement for Conceicao after coming on.

48' POR 1-1 COD

We are back! The second half is underway in Houston. DR Congo kick off; they're attacking from left to right in the second half. However, Portugal have gained the ball back pretty quickly. Can they break down this DR Congo 5-3-2 again?

One change for Portugal at half-time. Bernardo Silva has been substitued for Francisco Conceicao on the right-wing.

46' POR 1-1 COD

Portugal created a number of chances in the first half, but they were unable to convert them. Nuno Mendes' missed shot was the most glaring example, while Portugal even failed to get a proper shot away in other instances. For all their build-up, speed and flair, Portugal need to improve their efficiency. Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to have a single shot today.

HALF TIME in Houston! A dramatic start and dramatic end to the first half, after which both teams are all even. Portugal took the lead in the sixth minute of the game with a header from Joao Neves. They could've scored more, but DR Congo defended well. And in the final seconds of the first half, Yoanne Wissa equalizes with a sensational header. 

1-1 at half-time, and all to play for in the second 45.

HT | POR 1-1 COD

GOOOOAAAAALLLLL! DR Congo strike back! Corner in the final minute of added time, Masuaku swings in a cross from the right, and Yoanne Wissa equalizes with a perfect header. No chance for Diogo Costa to save it. Dramatic scenes in Houston, DR Congo have levelled it on the brink of half-time.

45 4' POR 1-1 COD

DR Congo break into a counter-attack towards the end of the first half. Left wing-back Arthur Masuaku bursts forward, finds Indian-origin midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy in the middle, who shoots with his left foot. The shot takes a deflection and goes out for a corner. 

45 3' POR 1-0 COD

Four minutes have been added on at the end of the first half. Can Portugal add another goal before the break? They've been exceptionally patient with their build-up play so far. No real chance for Ronaldo in the game so far.

45 1' POR 1-0 COD

40 minutes done, and here's a stat that wont please Cristiano Ronaldo fans: Ronaldo has had the least touches of any Portuguese outfield player so far in this match. Just 14 touches for the Portugal great. Only goalkeeper Diogo Costa has had fewer.

41' POR 1-0 COD

A ball in from the deep sends Nuno Mendes through, with no defender around him. However, the DR Congo defence recovers very well and closes the space in the box before anyone could get there. Portugal are forced to play it backwards, and ultimately the opening goes to waste.

38' POR 1-0 COD

DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba has been shown a yellow card for a foul on Pedro Neto. Mbemba and Neto both rose for a high ball, but Mbemba ended up tugging Neto down as they both landed. Unintentional foul, but the referee has shown him a yellow.

32' POR 1-0 COD

Pedro Neto is sent through on the left wing once again, where he's looking really threatening. Neto looks for Ronaldo with a cross, but DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba intervenes with a crucial block. Ronaldo denied a shot at goal.

Moments later, Joao Cancelo tries to pick out Ronaldo as the latter makes a smart run into the box, but nothing comes of it.

29' POR 1-0 COD

We are at the halfway point of the first half, and Portugal have dominated so far. They've taken the lead already, thanks to Joao Neves' terrific header. Nuno Mendes had a great chance too, which was saved. Cristiano Ronaldo yet to be involved in the thick of the action. DR Congo have launched a couple of counter-attacks, but they're yet to threaten Diogo Costa's goal.

24' POR 1-0 COD

Nuno Mendes scores through on goal and takes a shot despite pressure from three defenders, but the DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi Nzau makes an excellent save. Mpasi Nzau rushes out of goal and times it very well, closing down Nuno Mendes. Bruno Fernandes grabs the rebound and takes a low left-footed shot, but it goes wide.

18' POR 1-0 COD

Bernardo Silva gets an early yellow card after a foul, and Ronaldo is clearly unhappy with the decision. He has an animated chat with the referee. Moments later, DR Congo come on the counter-attack, and take a shot from outside the box, which takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.

14' POR 1-0 COD

GOOOAAALLLL! Portugal are up and running in FIFA World Cup 2026! A lovely cross in from the left wing from Pedro Neto, and then Joao Neves slams in a sensational header in the box. Nothing that the DR Congo goalkeeper could do about it. What a start for Portugal!

6' POR 1-0 COD

First threatening touch for Cristiano Ronaldo comes on the left wing, as he darts into the box and then performs a couple of his signature stepovers. Ultimately, Ronaldo passes back to Bruno Fernandes, who sends it backwards and the move restarts from the back again.

4' POR 0-0 COD

By starting today's match, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the oldest outfield starter in FIFA World Cup history, at the age of 41 years and 132 days. A record for the Portuguese great, even before the start of his 2026 World Cup campaign.

KICK OFF! We are underway in Houston. Portugal get us going, they're attacking from left to right. Cristiano Ronaldo and co. are wearing their classic maroon. DR Congo are in sky blue.

1' POR 0-0 COD

Here come the players! Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal and Chancel Mbemba-led DR Congo enter the Houston Stadium, which is packed, and bears a reddish look with many wearing Portugal jerseys. Time for the national anthems now.

If Cristiano Ronaldo scores today, he will become the first player in history to score in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup. Lionel Messi has also played in six editions, but he did not score a goal in the 2010 edition.

Portugal's first choice defenders, namely centre-back Ruben Dias and right-back Matheus Nunes, are not fit enough to start today's match. That has left Roberto Martinez with no choice but to go with a slightly second-string backline featuring Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo and Renato Veiga. It's a big test for Portugal, particularly given the magnitude of the match.

We are just about 20 minutes away from kick off at the Houston Stadium. A packed out crowd is expected at the 72,000-seater for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo's first match of FIFA World Cup 2026. 

We are getting some live visuals from the Houston Stadium, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are busy in their pre-match warm-ups ahead of the game against DR Congo. All eyes on the 41-year-old, who is about to appear in his sixth FIFA World Cup. Can he mark it with a goal?

Until a few hours ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was the oldest player to score a hattrick in the FIFA World Cup. But that record was snatched away by his long-time rival Lionel Messi, who slammed a hattrick for Argentina against Algeria in their opening game of World Cup 2026. Ronaldo would surely love to reclaim that record instantly. Can he do so in Portugal's match against DR Congo?

While Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's main man, Bruno Fernandes might be the ultimate difference-maker for the team today. The Manchester United midfielder was arguably the best player of the Premier League in the 2025-26 season. Watch out for Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves too, who have the potentially to be influential on both ends of the pitch.

DR Congo will rely for goals on Yoanne Wissa, who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. Expect them to be shaped up defensively, given that they're starting in a 5-3-2 formation.

Portugal will undoubtedly be the favourites to win Group K, which includes Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo. However, all of those teams are strong enough to potentially cause an upset or two during the group stage. Colombia will be led by the likes of James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz, Uzbekistan boast arguably the best Asian defender in Abdukodir Khusanov, and DR Congo have a number of superb players who play in top leagues.

The last time DR Congo played in the FIFA World Cup was in 1974, when they qualified as Zaire. 52 years later, they're back on the biggest footballing stage, in the expanded 48-team World Cup. But don't take them lightly. DR Congo's squad boasts a number of stars who ply their trade in the biggest leagues in the world, and they certainly have enough firepower to ruffle a few feathers in Group K, which also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Portugal are arguably the biggest footballing nation to have never won the FIFA World Cup. While Cristiano Ronaldo has led the nation to a lot of success on the European stage, that success hasn't been replicated on the global stage. But in 2026, Portugal have arguably the strongest team they've ever had. Ronaldo may no longer be in the peak of his powers, but Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and many others make it one of the strongest and most balanced teams of the World Cup on paper.

Portugal XI vs DR Congo: No surprises here, Cristiano Ronaldo STARTS for Portugal against DR Congo. A star-studded midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves. But there are some surprise names in defence. Ruben Dias is not fit enough to start, so it's a duo of Tomas Araujo and Renato Veiga starting at centre-back.

OFFICIEL ! LE XI DE DPART DU PORTUGAL FACE LA RD CONGO !!!

Les Portugais font partie des FAVORIS de la Coupe du monde.

Cristiano Ronaldo est TITULAIRE et s'apprte disputer le 6me et dernier Mondial de sa carrire.

Les doubles champions d'Europe sont bien... pic.twitter.com/FnwdPZ8m4p

— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 17, 2026

DR Congo XI vs Portugal: DR Congo have announced their first playing XI of FIFA World Cup 2026, for the match against Portugal. A number of players with Premier League experience, such as captain Chancel Mbemba, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and forward Yoanne Wissa. A special mention to Indian-origin player Samuel Moutoussamy, who starts in midfield.

LE XI DE LA RD CONGO POUR AFFRONTER LE PORTUGAL ! pic.twitter.com/VwpNnfEUZx

— Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) June 17, 2026

Yesterday, it was Kylian Mbappe firing France to victory with two goals. Then Erling Haaland slammed in a brace to power Norway to victory. And to top it all, Lionel Messi smashed his first-ever FIFA World Cup hattrick to help Argentina to a 3-0 win. Now, the focus turns to Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. Can CR7 step up on the biggest stage?

Hello and welcome to NDTV Sports, for the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Portugal and DR Congo. It is the first game in Group K, live from Houston. Cristiano Ronaldo's much-awaited sixth World Cup campaign begins today!

Stay tuned for all the live updates from the match.