The Democratic Republic of Congo secured a surprising draw against Portugal in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Portugal’s Joao Neves opened the scoring with a header just six minutes into the game. Despite establishing an early lead, Portugal, managed by Roberto Martinez, were unable to capitalize on their possession and create further scoring opportunities. The Congolese team demonstrated resilience in holding off Portugal’s attack. The result marks a significant upset and a promising start for DR Congo in the tournament. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams with one point each. This unexpected outcome sets the stage for a competitive group stage.