Portugal v Congo DR
Play By Play
It's all over in Houston, as DR Congo pull off one of the greatest ever World Cup shocks, drawing 1–1 with the might of Portugal in their Group K opener! The first half proved to be a tale of two headers with Joao Neves putting Portugal in front after just six minutes, but they were never able to truly take control of proceedings and allowed Wissa to equalise right on the stroke of half-time. Portugal's second-half efforts didn't prove to be much better, registering 0.69 xG and seeing only a goal disallowed when Cancelo's overhead kick was correctly ruled offside. Two openings for Ronaldo went astray before Cancelo and Fernandes went close late on, yet Mpasi was never truly tested between the sticks for DR Congo, and instead played a key role in setting up their frequent counter-attacks. Bakambu rattled the post – only for a free-kick to be given against him – before firing over from Sadiki's cutback, and Kapuadi also headed wide in the latter stages as the Leopards registered 0.82 xG in total. Far from holding on for a point, DR Congo looked more likely to win the game than Portugal in that second half, as Group K opens with a shock draw that very few would have seen coming. It's over to Colombia and Uzbekistan for now, and both nations will fancy their chances in a group that has been blown wide open by the heroics of DR Congo!
FULL-TIME: PORTUGAL 1–1 DR CONGO.
Another late corner is won by Portugal, but once again Mpasi sees Fernandes' delivery coming all the way and claims it unchallenged in the air!
Araujo absolutely clatters Wissa after the DR Congo striker flicks the ball past him from a throw-in, and had that challenge come a few yards further towards Portugal's goal, the Benfica defender's card may not have just been a yellow one there!
We're into the first of FIVE added minutes in Houston – can DR Congo hold on for a point, or even go on to claim all three here?
WIDE!!! DR Congo have their backs to the wall and crowd the box as Fernandes takes aim from 20 yards, but the Manchester United playmaker's left-footed strike is pulled just wide of Mpasi's near post!
Banza loses out to Fernandes in midfield and Joao Neves wastes no time in looking for Conceicao on the run, but his long ball in behind the defence is cut out by Mpasi, who races out of his box to clear the danger!
Semedo bundles Wissa to ground as the Newcastle striker attempts another breakaway for DR Congo, with the Portugal substitute booked as a result.
SAVED!!! Cancelo pops up on the left for the first time and drills a fantastic ball right across the face of goal, forcing Mpasi to dive off his line and smother the cross before Ronaldo can get there!
Portugal’s two defeats against African opposition at the World Cup both came against Morocco, in 1986 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 edition. They are unbeaten against teams from sub-Saharan Africa at the World Cup, with three wins and one draw, but a late, late shock could change all of that here.
Bakambu has run his blood to water at the top end of this Leopards team, and another French-born striker in Simon Banza will replace him.
There's another two DR Congo changes in the works too, with Wan-Bissaka replaced on the right-hand side of their back five by Gedeon Kalulu.
One PSG player replaces another for Portugal as Vitinha departs with time running out, with regular super-sub Goncalo Ramos coming on to replace him and give Martinez's side another target to aim for in attack.
Another turnover in possession yields a DR Congo break, with Moutoussamy's long ball put out for a throw by Veiga and quickly returned by Wissa. He links up with Bakambu and Sadiki before the latter spreads the ball wide to Joris Kayembe, whose first-time cross is sent straight into Costa's gloves!
DR Congo qualified for this World Cup via the inter-confederation play-offs – beating Jamaica 1-0 after extra-time in Guadalajara. Including play-offs, 10 of the Leopards' 13 qualifying matches were either drawn (two) or decided by a one-goal margin, including six wins, and another result with the narrowest of margins is certainly brewing here!
BLOCKED!!! Leao takes on Wan-Bissaka before picking out Conceicao with a far-post cross, but his fellow substitute's shot is blocked away from danger by Mukau, and Wan-Bissaka comes away with possession!
OVER!!! Mpasi plucks a Fernandes corner out of the air and quickly recycles possession to release his outfield team-mates. The Leopards pile numbers forward and Sadiki squares for Bakambu on the edge of the box, but the striker's first-time effort is high and wide of the top-left corner!
Fernandes' driving run and pass into the box for Neves is cut out by Moutoussamy, who clears to send DR Congo forward on the break. Bakambu's flick is almost returned by Wissa's pass in behind, only for Araujo to make a vital interception for Portugal!
Edo's namesake Joris Kayembe will also come on for the Leopards, replacing Masuaku after a superb first 74 minutes from the left wing-back.
DR Congo will also make a double change of their own, with Kayembe replaced by Charles Pickel in the middle of the park.
WIDE!!!! Another opening for Portugal's talisman!! Fernandes' slick first-time ball into the box releases Conceicao once more, and this time he does give Ronaldo the service he needs. The 41-year-old arrives again at the near post and shoots from close range, but steers it just past the near post with the help of a DR Congo block!
Nelson Semedo will also come on to make his World Cup debut for Portugal, forcing Cancelo to switch to left-back as Mendes is withdrawn.
Roberto Martinez rolls the dice with two more changes for Portugal, with Neto replaced on the left flank by AC Milan's Rafael Leao.
Ronaldo is making his 23rd FIFA World Cup appearance, the joint fourth-most alongside Paolo Maldini. Only Lionel Messi (27), Lothar Matthaus (25) and Miroslav Klose (24) have made more appearances at the tournament.
Ronaldo's missed opportunity gives way to the second-half hydration break, which could have either positive or adverse effects for a Portugal side finally re-establishing some momentum in this period of the game.
