Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener Ends in Draw Against DR Congo

Portugal's opening match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite high expectations for Cristiano Ronaldo, his performance was underwhelming, with no shots on target. Following the match, Ronaldo reassured fans that the campaign is not over yet. Portugal will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia. Read on for a detailed analysis of the match and what lies ahead for the team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 14:18 IST

Portugal's World Cup Journey Begins with a Draw

Portugal kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fans had high hopes for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was making his sixth appearance in the tournament, especially after witnessing stellar performances from stars like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi. However, Ronaldo's performance fell short of expectations, leaving supporters disheartened. Following the match, he took to Instagram to express his thoughts, stating, "Not the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game," while sharing images from the match.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Underwhelming Performance

Ronaldo's performance was notably lackluster, as he managed only three shots throughout the match, none of which were on target. He also lost possession three times and recorded just one progressive carry. Portugal initially took the lead with a goal from Joao Neves in the 5th minute, but they struggled to maintain their momentum as Congo capitalized on counterattacks, equalizing just before halftime through Yoane Wissa.

Upcoming Matches for Portugal

Portugal vs Uzbekistan — June 23, 2026 | 10:30 PM IST

Colombia vs Portugal — June 28, 2026 | 5:00 AM IST (June 27, 2026)