POR vs COD FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE: Congo pull off an upset as match finish 1-1 vs Portugal

History for DR Congo as they claim their first-ever World Cup point! Portugal, meanwhile, are left stunned at the final whistle, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates looking shellshocked after being held to a draw. None of their plans worked tonight. 

Congo have certainly caused a World Cup upset. The match ends 1-1. 

Semedo drives forward down the right flank, and Kayembe does well to shepherd the ball behind under pressure. Late corner for Portugal as they push for a winner but nothing materialised again. 

Wissa is drawing fouls and bookings for fun at the moment. The DR Congo forward takes an excellent touch inside the Portuguese half before knocking the ball into space, only for Araujo to impede him illegally and earn a yellow card. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing, though, and Portugal regain possession with just two minutes remaining.

Five minutes have been added on. In the first minute itself, Bruno tried a long-distance shot but wide of the post. The time is ticking. 

Nelson Semedo has been shown the yellow card in the 89th minute of the game. 

Wan-Bissaka and Bakambu have both put in tireless shifts at right-back and up front, respectively, and their afternoons are over. Gedeon Kalulu comes on in defence, while Simon Banza is introduced to lead the line.

Gonzalo Ramos comes in for Vitinha. Portugal are strengthening their attacking prowess. 

Conceicao is making things happen again, meeting a lofted pass from Fernandes before being brought down by Kapuadi just outside the area on the right. It initially looked like Portugal would have a free-kick in a dangerous position, but the assistant's flag goes up and the decision goes DR Congo's way for offside.

Corner for Portugal. Bruno Fernandes delivers it but straight to the keeper. Mpasi immediately released it for a counter-attack, which looked threatening before Bukambu pushed it over the post. The game is finally opening well. 

A promising move from Portugal sees Conceicao drive into the channel once more before pulling the ball back towards Ronaldo, whose effort appears to take a deflection on its way wide. No corner is given, though.

There are also a couple of changes for DR Congo, with Charles Pickel and Joris Kayembe coming on in place of Arthur Masuaku and Edo Kayembe.

Two changes for Portugal. Nelson Semedo and Rafael Leao are on for Portugal. Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto make way.

Conceicao picks up the ball in the right channel and slides it across to Ronaldo inside the box, but the veteran can't make clean contact and drags his effort wide of the target. Much of the crowd were already rising to celebrate what looked like a certain goal, but it wasn't to be. It's been a frustrating outing so far for the 41-year-old.

Kayemba brings down Pedro Neto right in front of the benches, sparking the first bit of handbags between the sides. Wissa is quick to get involved before the referee steps in to calm things down.

Portugal are keeping the ball, attacking time and again but Congo's defence is not allowing them to enter the box. The crosses are being dealt well too as Portugal haven't hit a single shot on target since the goal. 

An hour played and a Portuguese corner comes to nothing. Mendes’ initial delivery is cleared before Cancelo’s second ball is overhit and runs out for a goal kick. Portugal are still yet to get going in this half.

Bakambu wins the ball from Fernandes inside the Portuguese box and creates space for a shot, but his effort hits the outside of the near post. Ngal’ayel Mukau is then replaced in midfield by Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki.

The flag goes up against Cancelo, though it would have been a spectacular finish, as the full-back was offside. The cross drops to Joao Neves, who brings it down on his chest, and Cancelo reacts with an acrobatic effort that finds the net, but the goal is ruled out. 

Mpasi takes too long over his goal kick, exceeding the five-second limit and Portugal are awarded a corner as a result. Nothing materialised from it, though. Again, Portugal struggling heavily in the fnal third. 

A tight move sees Mukau looking to slip Bakambu in, who gets his shot away, but Costa gets down quickly to make the save, though the flag is up for offside.

Pedro Neto cuts inside onto his favoured foot and lofts a dangerous cross toward the back post. The newly introduced Francisco Conceicao is lurking, but Arthur Masuaku reads it brilliantly to snuff out the danger. Goal kick to DR Congo.

Portugal will certainly look for more pressure on the Congo defence. They have struggled heavily in the final third and that needs to change. Ronaldo needs to be more involved, which hasn't been the case so far. 

Surprisingly, it is DR Congo who lead the shot count at the break. Aside from Joao Neves' opening goal, a distant effort from Bruno Fernandes was all Portugal could muster, whereas the Central African side have been far more efficient at converting their limited possession into genuine goalscoring opportunities.

The Leopards pound. Congo equalises in the injury time. Their first-ever World Cup goal. Portugal left shocked. Wissa scores as the fans rejoice in the stands.

Four minutes of injury time added after the completion of 45 minutes. 

Despit dominating the match and keeping possession, Portugal haven't quite looked at their best. It's been 30 minutes now that the side has hit a shot on target. They lack intent in the final third. 

Nuno Mendes drives forward down the left flank and picks out a cutback, but DR Congo managed to clear the danger. The ball falls kindly for Fernandes on the edge of the area, yet his effort is charged down before it can trouble the goalkeeper.

Kayembe lets fly from around 35 yards out, but his low strike takes a deflection off Araujo and loops harmlessly into Costa's hands.

Pedro Neto collapses to the turf, clutching his throat after Chancel Mbemba pulls him back by the shirt. The referee stops play and produces a yellow card for the DR Congo captain. Slight harsh, one can say. 

Bruno Fernandes looks to float a delicate pass over the top for Nuno Mendes down the left, but Ngal'ayel Mukau reads it perfectly to intercept. Moments later, a sliding cross from Cancelo flashes in from the right wing searching for Cristiano Ronaldo, but the delivery has too much on it, prompting a frustrated but appreciative thumbs-up from the Al Nassr forward.

Hydration break has been called. Portugal leading 1-0 at the moment. They have been a force to reckon with, as Congo mostly depend on counter attacks. No luck from them though. 

Nuno Mendes bursts dangerously into the penalty area, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka's timing is absolute perfection, pulling off a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny the PSG man a shot. The loose ball breaks to Bruno Fernandes, but he fires wide of the target!

Bernardo Silva enters the referee’s book following a reckless, studs-up challenge on Edo Kayembe. In trademark fashion, Cristiano Ronaldo is instantly on the scene, fiercely protesting the yellow card to the official.

A spirited response from DR Congo as they look to hit back immediately. Aaron Wan-Bissaka links up with Yoane Wissa down the right flank, and when the clearance falls back to the Newcastle midfielder just outside the box, he drags his effort wide of the target.

Portugal struck the first blow. A well-timed header from Joao Neves helped Portugal draw the first blood. A beautiful delivery from the left flank by Neto found Neves empty inside the box, who finished it very smartly, keeping it far away from the keeper. 

Portugal have controlled the tempo so far in the clash. Congo have failed to even cross the halfway mark. There was a huge roar from the crowd when Cristiano Ronaldo touched the ball for the first time. They are dominating the proceedings so far. 

Cristiano Ronaldo set the record for becoming the oldest starting XI player in World Cup history. Can he also become the first footballer to score in six different edition of the tournament? All eyes on Portugal captain. 

We are underway in Houston for the game between Portugal and Congo. The Portuguese fans dominate the stands as it seems red everywhere you look. There are enough Congo fans as well in the stands. We are in for a thrilling clash. 

Both teams have lined up for the national anthems. Portugal sing first, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo. A tribute was paid to late Diogo Jota during Portugal's anthem. 

If Cristiano Ronaldo scores tonight, he will become the first footballer ever to score in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup. 

Portugal have Bernado Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha in their midfield. This is arguably the best midfield trio in the FIFA World Cup this year. If you add Cristiano Ronaldo at the top, Portugal look like a serious contender for the World Cup. 

Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.

Diogo Costa; Nuno Mendes, Tomas Araujo, Renato Veiga, Joao Cancelo; Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernado Silva; Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo from Houston. Both teams have already announced their playing XIs, as a thrilling game is expected. Can Ronaldo start the season on fire, that's the million dollar question now.