The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) achieved a historic milestone in their World Cup 2026 campaign, securing their first-ever point in the finals with a 1-1 draw against Portugal on Wednesday.

This result marks a significant moment for the African nation, who are appearing in the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The match, held as part of Group K, saw Portugal take an early lead, but DR Congo fought back to equalize before halftime.

Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal in the sixth minute with a header from a Pedro Neto cross. However, DR Congo equalized in first-half injury time when Yoane Wissa rose unmarked to head the ball past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa. This goal was celebrated with immense joy by the DR Congo players, staff, and fans, marking their country's inaugural World Cup goal.

The draw means Portugal, despite a strong start, could not secure the expected victory in their opening match. The result will put pressure on Portugal as they look to advance from Group K. For DR Congo, this draw is a major achievement, demonstrating their competitive spirit on the world stage.

Portugal's star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in his record-equalling sixth World Cup, was largely contained and did not have the impact seen from rivals like Lionel Messi in other matches. He missed two late chances that could have secured a win for Portugal.

DR Congo's preparations for the tournament were impacted by an Ebola outbreak in their home country, adding another layer of challenge to their campaign. Some Portuguese players wore wristbands in tribute to their late teammate Diogo Jota.

Coach Roberto Martinez substituted Bernardo Silva at halftime, despite Silva having recently joined Real Madrid. A potential second goal for Portugal from Joao Cancelo was disallowed due to an offside call.

Veteran DR Congo striker Cedric Bakambu also posed a threat, hitting the post with a shot. The team's resilience and ability to equalize against a favored opponent underscore their determination in their return to the World Cup finals.