World Cup Group Stage - 1
Portugal 1 - 1 FT Congo DR
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
6' J. Neves (P. Neto)
13' B. Silva
C. Mbemba 32'
Y. Wissa (A. Masuaku) 45'+5
HT
46' ↓ B. Silva ↑F. Conceicao
↓ N. Mukau ↑N. Sadiki 57'
71' ↓ P. Neto ↑R. Leao
72' ↓ N. Mendes ↑N. Semedo
↓ E. Kayembe ↑C. Pickel 74'
↓ A. Masuaku ↑J. Kayembe 74'
83' ↓ Vitinha ↑G. Ramos
↓ C. Bakambu ↑S. Banza 85'
↓ A. Wan-Bissaka ↑G. Kalulu 85'
88' N. Semedo
90'+2 T. Araujo
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Portugal
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
João Cancelo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tomás Araújo 
MAGNET
104
Activity
104
Activity
102
Passes
2
Duels
Renato Veiga
MAGNET
98
Activity
98
Activity
91
Passes
7
Duels
Nuno Mendes 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
João Neves 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Vitinha
MAGNET
133
Activity
133
Activity
128
Passes
5
Duels
Bernardo Silva
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Bruno Fernandes
MAGNET
85
Activity
85
Activity
75
Passes
10
Duels
Pedro Neto 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7
Rating
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
José Sá 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Rui Silva
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nélson Semedo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rúben Dias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diogo Dalot
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonçalo Inácio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matheus Nunes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samú Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rúben Neves
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Francisco Conceição
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
47
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafael Leão
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Francisco Trincão
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonçalo Guedes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonçalo Ramos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
João Félix
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Congo DR
Goalkeepers
Lionel Mpasi Nzau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Chancel Mbemba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Axel Tuanzebe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Steve Kapuadi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arthur Masuaku
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Midfielders
Ngal'ayel Mukau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Samuel Moutoussamy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Edo Kayembe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Forwards
Yoane Wissa
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Cédric Bakambu
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
BENCH
Timothy Fayulu
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Matthieu Epolo
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Dylan Batubinsika
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joris Kayembe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gedeon Kalulu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noah Sadiki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Théo Bongonda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aaron Tshibola
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Charles Pickel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gaël Kakuta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nathanaël Mbuku
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brian Cipenga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Meschak Elia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fiston Mayele
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Simon Banza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Congo DR Defies Portuguese Possession Masterclass
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 42/100. A staggering display of resilience saw Congo DR weather an early storm to snatch a vital World Cup point.
The Early Blitz
Portugal wasted zero time imposing their will at NRG Stadium. They completely dominated possession, ultimately hoarding 75% of the ball as they pinned their opponents deep. The breakthrough arrived in just the 6th minute. P. Neto unlocked the defence with a precise pass, allowing J. Neves to fire home the opener. A high Intensity start suggested a long afternoon for the African side. Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha orchestrated the midfield rhythm, exchanging slick passes that left defenders chasing shadows. It looked like an inevitable rout was on the cards.
A Stoppage-Time Sucker Punch
Football is rarely played on a spreadsheet. Despite chasing the ball for 45 minutes, Congo DR found their defining moment just before the whistle. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, A. Masuaku delivered the crucial ball. Y. Wissa was there to finish, completely flipping the Balance of the match. The data is telling: Congo DR managed only 250 passes to Portugal's 772, yet they actually generated a superior expected goals tally (0.82 to 0.62). They sat back, absorbed the pressure, and struck with lethal precision when it mattered most.
Group Stage Shockwaves
The second half turned into a frustrating exercise in futility for the European heavyweights. The 1-1 draw immediately raises the Stakes for the rest of Group 1. Congo DR proved that tactical discipline can neutralize pure technical superiority, introducing a massive Upset Factor to the standings. Both teams leave Texas with a single point, but the emotional momentum firmly belongs to the Leopards. Portugal will need to find a sharper edge in the final third, while Congo DR have shown the world they belong on this stage.
Key Questions
How did Congo DR pull off this shock result?
They sacrificed possession for defensive solidity, generating better chances on the counter and equalising through Y. Wissa right before half-time.
What does this mean for Portugal's season?
Dropping points in their World Cup opener puts immediate pressure on their upcoming group matches. They must turn their sterile possession into clear goals.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Portugal expected to stroll through World Cup opener
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 7/100. An overwhelming probability gap suggests this fixture will be a comfortable outing for the European heavyweights rather than a gripping contest.
The Setup
The World Cup campaign begins at NRG Stadium on June 17, 2026. While the opening matches of a group stage always carry a certain survive-and-advance pressure, the pre-match metrics point towards a severe mismatch. Portugal enter the fray with a massive probability edge over Congo DR. A modest Form rating across the board simply reflects the clean slate of matchday one, but the low Balance score tells the real story of this tie. With a distinct lack of marquee Stars on the African side to level the playing field, the Stakes feel somewhat muted for neutral viewers expecting a tight battle.
Key Battle
This match will inevitably pit Portugal's attacking wealth against a resolute Congolese defensive block. The African outfit will look to sit deep, absorb intense pressure, and protect their penalty area. If the Portuguese midfield can thread the needle and find early breakthroughs, it could become a long evening for the underdog's back line.
Our Prediction
Portugal will completely dominate possession and territory. Expect a comfortable multi-goal victory for the European side as they break down a brave but ultimately outgunned Congo DR defence.