Houston, MINA – The Congo DR set a record for the first goal and took their first point of the 2026 World Cup, as Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to ever start a World Cup match.
Against the European giants, who took an early lead in the sixth minute through a Joao Neves header at Houston Stadium, Yoane Wissa equalized in first-half stoppage time. The score remained 1-1 until the end of the match.
This was Ronaldo’s 23rd World Cup appearance, placing him fourth on the all-time list alongside Italian legend Paolo Maldini.
Portugal dominated the early going, although Congo created their first chance after 10 minutes, when Wissa unleashed a left-footed shot that went just wide of Diogo Costa’s goal.
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They continued to threaten the Portuguese backline. Moments before halftime, the African side equalized. Arthur Masuaku crossed for Wissa, who headed the ball into the net. It was a historic moment: Congo’s first goal in a World Cup, 52 years after the country made its debut in the 1974 tournament.
Joao Cancelo thought he had restored Portugal’s lead shortly after the second half. The full-back’s spectacular overhead kick found the back of the net, but Cancelo was offside.
Congo, boosted by the equalizer, continued to attack, and center-back Steve Kapuadi headed wide for Sébastien Desabre’s side. Portugal captain Ronaldo also missed two half-chances, but failed to add to his ninth World Cup goal, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. []
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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