The opening act of Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered drama, tension, and an unexpected twist, as Portugal were held to a 1–1 draw by a resilient Democratic Republic of the Congo side nicknamed “The Leopards”.
It took just six minutes for Portugal to strike first in Houston. João Neves rose above the defense to head home a precise cross from Pedro Neto, giving the European giants an early advantage and seemingly setting the tone for a controlled performance.
But the Leopards refused to be tamed.
As Portugal dominated possession without converting pressure into clear chances, DR Congo grew into the match with disciplined defending and sharp transitions. Their persistence was rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa delivered a stunning header in the 45+4 minute, marking a historic moment — the nation’s first-ever goal in a World Cup.
The second half opened with renewed confidence from the African side, who continued to challenge Portugal physically and tactically. Portugal briefly thought they had regained the lead when João Cancelo found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, DR Congo nearly flipped the script entirely, rattling the Portuguese crossbar in a warning shot that echoed through the stadium.
As the pressure mounted, the spotlight inevitably fell on Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran forward came closest in the 68th minute, but his effort drifted wide of the target. Another promising chance from a similar angle in the 74th minute again failed to find the net, as the Leopards’ defense held firm.
Despite late Portuguese pressure, DR Congo’s resilience secured a well-earned point, leaving the group finely balanced with Colombia and Uzbekistan still to play their fixture.
