{"id":36514,"date":"2026-06-17T22:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/17\/portugal-draws-1-1-with-congo-at-the-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T22:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:00:30","slug":"portugal-draws-1-1-with-congo-at-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/17\/portugal-draws-1-1-with-congo-at-the-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Portugal draws 1-1 with Congo at the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"


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HOUSTON (AP) \u2014 Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates suffered a surprising 1-1 draw against Congo in Wednesday’s season opener. world cup<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Congo, playing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, became the second African country to get off to a strong start in European competition. Cape Verde vs. Spain 0-0 draw<\/span> on monday.<\/p>\n

“The World Cup is a tournament where that happens,” said Roberto Martinez, the Spaniard who led Belgium to the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament. “Sometimes the performance just doesn’t live up to the challenge.”<\/p>\n

Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 at NRG Stadium, mostly filled with Portuguese supporters, Congo picked up their first World Cup point after losing their previous three games.<\/p>\n

Ebola-related restrictions have prevented many Congolese from traveling to the United States for this year’s games.<\/p>\n

“There wasn’t enough green in the stands, but the players are tough and know how to overcome difficulties,” Congolese coach S\u00e9bastien Desables said. “But I think many Congolese people are proud of their team today.”<\/p>\n

Joao Neves gave Portugal the lead in the 6th minute. The 5ft 7in midfielder headed in a cross from Pedro Neto.<\/p>\n

But Congo leveled the score just before half-time with Yohan Wissa’s header from Arthur Masuaku’s cross, much to the delight of the little blue-clad fans. This was Congo’s first goal in World Cup history.<\/p>\n

“It’s crazy,” Wissa said. “After 52 years, we came here and we came back. It was a long time, it was difficult. So scoring that goal meant a lot to all Congolese people, to me, to my family and to the fans who were here today.”<\/p>\n

Congo’s only World Cup appearance was in West Germany in 1974, when they were then known as Zaire, losing 2-0 to Scotland, 9-0 to Yugoslavia and 3-0 to Brazil.<\/p>\n

“The goal changed the situation,” Martinez said. \u201cI was scared that I wouldn\u2019t be able to lose the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Portugal, what stood out was the low number of goals they scored. Ronaldo missed the target in the 68th and 73rd minutes. After both he shook his head in disgust.<\/p>\n

Martinez was asked on Wednesday whether he had considered removing Ronaldo.<\/p>\n

“It makes no sense to have the world’s best scorer absent when we need goals,” the coach said. “Cristiano’s experience in the box is important. The way he attracts defenders is important.”<\/p>\n

Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, breaking the record set four years ago by Canadian midfielder Atiba Hutchinson. Cameroon great Roger Milla was the oldest outfielder to play in a World Cup match, coming off the bench at the 1994 World Cup at the age of 42.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo also joins Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the only players to have appeared in six World Cups. Ronaldo can break out of tie with Messi Who scored a hat trick on Tuesday?<\/span>If he is able to score a goal this year, he will become the first player to score in the 6th edition of the tournament.<\/p>\n

In addition to Ronaldo’s performance, Bruno Fernandes also had a chance to give Portugal the lead in the 90th minute, but his shot went just wide of the target.<\/p>\n

Portugal seemed to take the lead in the 55th minute with Joao Cancelo’s bicycle kick, but it was ruled offside.<\/p>\n

Immediately afterwards, Cedric Bakambu’s attempt to put Congo ahead was missed as it hit the near post.<\/p>\n

The parents of Diogo Jota, a member of the Portuguese national team who died along with his brother in a car accident last summer, watched the match from a luxurious suite.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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HOUSTON (AP) \u2014 Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates suffered a surprising 1-1 draw against Congo in Wednesday’s season opener. world cup. Congo, playing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, became the second African country to get off to a strong start in European competition. 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