Portugal faced a disappointing start to their World Cup campaign, held across three nations, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening fixture. Although João Neves gave Portugal an early lead, Congo managed to equalize just before the end of the first half. This goal and the subsequent draw mark a historic milestone for Congo, representing both their first-ever goal and their first point in World Cup history.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played the full duration of the match, delivered a subpar performance and was unable to capitalize on the opportunities presented to him. Despite the result, the 41-year-old Ronaldo set a new record as the oldest player to ever feature in a World Cup match. The match, played before a large crowd in Houston, USA, leaves Portugal in a challenging position within a group that also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.
