Congo DR surprised the World Cup stage by holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw in Houston, earning their first point in 52 years. In front of 68,777 fans, the match saw Portugal take an early lead before a stoppage‑time header from Yoane Wissa forced the tie, a moment that electrified the stadium.

Ronaldo, now 41, became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, but his frustration showed as he missed two wide shots in the second half. The Spaniard Messi, already on one goal, kept the pressure on, while Bruno Fernandes also hit the crossbar in the final minute.

Congo DR's only World Cup goal came from a header in the 45th minute, marking a historic first for the nation. The result echoes Cape Verde's earlier 0‑0 draw with Spain, signaling a stronger African presence in the tournament’s early stages despite the continent’s long‑standing underestimation of the world cup.

Portugal now faces a narrow margin for error as they chase top‑three qualification. With their squad stretched and key players like Jota absent, the loss exposes vulnerabilities that could haunt them in their next matches. Congo DR’s historic point gives Belgian fans a taste of the high stakes at the World Cup.