Portugal vs Congo DR — World Cup, Group Stage - 1 (17 June 2026)
World Cup Group Stage - 1 
NRG Stadium
Portugal vs Congo DR
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Cristiano Ronaldo makes World Cup history, but Portugal held to disappointing draw
Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo becomes oldest World Cup outfield player. Wissa's stoppage-time header gives Leopards historic draw.
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João Neves shines as Portugal held by Congo DR
João Neves scored in the opening six minutes with an 8.0 rating, but Portugal drew 1-1 with Congo DR. Cristiano Ronaldo extended his nine-game major
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Portugal vs DR Congo: Leao and Conceicao on the bench
Portugal open their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo with Rafael Leao and Francisco Conceicao on the bench, while Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto start.
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Portugal vs Congo DR: Ronaldo minutes are the real issue
Portugal face Congo DR with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to start, but Roberto Martinez must manage his minutes if they want a deep World Cup run.
Lineups & ratings
Portugal
4-2-3-1 Coach Roberto Martinez
1
Costa
10 ↓46'
20
7
18 ↓71'
23 ↓83'
4
Araújo
25 ↓72'
15
13
- 26 Francisco Conceição for B. Silva
- 17 Rafael Leão for P. Neto
- 2 Nélson Semedo for N. Mendes
- 9 Gonçalo Ramos for Vitinha
- 3
- 5
- 6
- 11 João Félix
- 12
- 14
- 16
- 19
- 21
- 22 Rui Silva
- 24
Congo DR
5-3-2 Coach Sebastien Desabre
22
Mbemba
25 ↓74'
Kayembe
17 ↓85'
Bakambu
26 ↓74'
2 ↓85'
4
20
8
Moutoussamy
1
Nzau
3
Kapuadi
6 ↓57'
Mukau
22
Mbemba
25 ↓74'
Kayembe
17 ↓85'
Bakambu
26 ↓74'
2 ↓85'
4
20
8
Moutoussamy
1
Nzau
3
Kapuadi
6 ↓57'
Mukau
- 14 Noah Sadiki for N. Mukau
- 12 Joris Kayembe for A. Masuaku
- 18 Charles Pickel for E. Kayembe
- 23 Simon Banza for C. Bakambu
- 24 Gedeon Kalulu for A. Wan-Bissaka
- 5 Dylan Batubinsika
- 7 Nathanaël Mbuku
- 9 Brian Cipenga
- 10 Théo Bongonda
- 11 Gaël Kakuta
- 13 Meschak Elia
- 15 Aaron Tshibola
- 16 Timothy Fayulu
- 19 Fiston Mayele
- 21 Matthieu Epolo
Bench · Portugal
- 26 Francisco Conceição for B. Silva
- 17 Rafael Leão for P. Neto
- 2 Nélson Semedo for N. Mendes
- 9 Gonçalo Ramos for Vitinha
- 3
- 5
- 6
- 11 João Félix
- 12
- 14
- 16
- 19
- 21
- 22 Rui Silva
- 24
Bench · Congo DR
- 14 Noah Sadiki for N. Mukau
- 12 Joris Kayembe for A. Masuaku
- 18 Charles Pickel for E. Kayembe
- 23 Simon Banza for C. Bakambu
- 24 Gedeon Kalulu for A. Wan-Bissaka
- 5 Dylan Batubinsika
- 7 Nathanaël Mbuku
- 9 Brian Cipenga
- 10 Théo Bongonda
- 11 Gaël Kakuta
- 13 Meschak Elia
- 15 Aaron Tshibola
- 16 Timothy Fayulu
- 19 Fiston Mayele
- 21 Matthieu Epolo