Congo DR Holds Portugal to Draw With Late First Half Equaliser
June 17, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
Published by Yayscore LTD. Match data from licensed providers.
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Congo DR secured a surprising 1-1 draw against Portugal in their World Cup Group Stage opener, after equalizing in first half stoppage time.
Portugal started brightly, taking an early lead in the 6th minute through Joao Neves, assisted by P. Neto. The European giants dominated possession, holding 75% of the ball throughout the match, and seemed poised to control the game. However, a yellow card for Bernardo Silva in the 13th minute for tripping showed some early frustrations creeping in.
Despite Portugal's control, Congo DR remained resilient and capitalized on their limited opportunities. In the 45+5 minute, just before the half-time whistle, Y. Wissa, assisted by A. Masuaku, found the back of the net to level the score against the run of play. This crucial goal shifted the momentum heading into the interval and instilled belief in the Congolese side.
The second half saw various substitutions from both teams as they sought to break the deadlock. Portugal rung the changes with Rafael Leao and Goncalo Ramos entering the fray to boost their attack, while Congo DR also made tactical adjustments. However, despite Portugal's dominance in possession and a significantly higher number of accurate passes (713 to 197), they could only manage one shot on target, the early goal.
This draw is a significant upset for Portugal, who will be disappointed not to secure maximum points against a lower-ranked opponent. For Congo DR, it's a valuable point gained, demonstrating their ability to compete on the world stage and offering a strong platform for the remainder of their group stage campaign.