Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to make an impact as his team began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
The match attracted huge attention as Ronaldo featured in his sixth World Cup tournament, but the veteran forward was unable to find the breakthrough in Houston.
Despite playing the full match, the 41-year-old had limited influence in front of goal.
Portugal take early lead
Portugal started strongly and opened the scoring in the first half through Joao Neves.
The midfielder rose above the defence to head the ball into the net, giving Portugal the advantage.
However, DR Congo responded before halftime as Yohan Wissa also scored with a header to restore parity.
Both teams miss chances after break
The second half produced an open contest, with both sides creating opportunities as they searched for a winning goal.
Despite the attacking efforts, neither Portugal nor DR Congo could find the decisive finish.
The result means both teams leave the opening fixture with one point as they continue their World Cup campaigns.
Ronaldo continues record-breaking journey
Although Ronaldo did not score, the tournament represents another milestone in his international career.
The Portugal captain remains one of football’s most experienced players on the World Cup stage.