Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves expressed disappointment following his team’s draw against Congo, hindering their progress in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Neves acknowledged the team’s performance was below expectations and pledged improvements in their remaining group stage matches. The draw complicates Portugal’s qualification pathway, necessitating stronger performances in upcoming games. He emphasized the team’s commitment to analyzing their shortcomings and rectifying them. The focus now shifts to preparing for the next qualifying fixtures, where a win is crucial. Neves remains optimistic about Portugal’s chances of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, but stresses the need for immediate and significant improvement.