Portugal World Cup Growth After Opening Draw, Martinez Says

Portugal opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, a result that left both teams with mixed emotions. Joao Neves scored early, Yoane Wissa replied before half-time, and Cristiano Ronaldo set an age record but extended a scoring drought, while DR Congo celebrated a first goal and first point at this level.

For DR Congo, Wissa’s header meant a major step in their World Cup story. It delivered the team’s first goal at the tournament and also secured a historic first point. Before Wissa scored, DR Congo, including previous matches as Zaire, had let in 15 World Cup goals without replying.

The match started with Portugal on top, and Neves finished a sharp move to give the Selecao an early lead. DR Congo grew into the contest and levelled when Wissa struck just before the break. Neither side could force a winner in the second half, and Joao Cancelo saw an overhead effort ruled out for offside.

Portugal struggled to test DR Congo’s goalkeeper across the 90 minutes. Neves’ goal was their only shot on target, despite seven attempts in total, while DR Congo managed eight efforts. That tally of seven Portuguese shots matched their lowest in any World Cup match, previously recorded against South Korea in 2002.

Those attacking numbers continued a wider trend in Portugal’s World Cup starts. The team have won only one of their last five opening matches at the tournament, drawing three and losing one. Among nations that have appeared at every World Cup since 2010, they share the fewest matchday one wins, one, with Australia, Spain and Uruguay, though this draw still gives Portugal a Group K point.

“It’s a World Cup, it has many emotions, he said. We all talk about wanting to win; it’s a process in which we need to be able to grow in the tournament in aspects that are important. We need to evaluate very well and grow. We haven’t lost a game; we have a point. I think it’s important to realise that we started the game very well. Until the goal, we had depth and reached the final third well. The goal changes things; it’s the moment when we want to control possession, keep the ball in areas that allowed Congo to adjust their pressure and try to start a counter-attack. It was a period where we lacked depth and the opportunity to use our speed. Congo’s goal came at the most difficult moment for us, but I think we reacted well; the players’ attitude was extraordinary. I didn’t like the performance, but I liked the attitude and what they tried to do until the last second. It’s part of the process; we have two more games, and we need to evaluate them well.”

Martinez focused on the team’s mentality rather than the statistics, stressing progress across the group phase. Portugal’s head coach underlined how the early goal altered their approach, shifting towards possession control and reducing depth in attack. Martinez accepted the display fell below expectations but praised the effort shown as Portugal pushed forward until the final whistle.

Cristiano Ronaldo added another entry to World Cup records by becoming the oldest outfield player to appear at the tournament. However, Ronaldo has now gone ten straight major tournament matches, across Euros and World Cups, without scoring for Portugal. Asked if the captain had been too isolated in attack, Martinez gave a brief and firm reply. “Everything that wasn’t done is a choice. We need to evaluate the game rationally; we have players between the lines like Bernardo [Silva] and Bruno Fernandes who are the best in the world. We have many good players, and we need them all. We will use everything we have to have strengths and different aspects in our game.”

Key match statistics from Portugal’s World Cup draw with DR Congo are shown below.

{TABLE_1}

World Cup: DR Congo history and coach reaction

“It is a tremendous source of pride to have earned Congo DR’s first-ever point at the World Cup, as well as its first goal, he said. The players showed incredible commitment and selflessness. We executed the game plan exactly as we wanted, scored from a set piece, and honestly, I am very proud of my players because they represented the Congo in a very positive way, and the entire country deserves it.”

Desabre’s words reflected DR Congo’s mood after the draw, as the team combined a disciplined structure with dangerous set pieces. Portugal, meanwhile, left Houston knowing improvement is needed in chance creation and control of key moments, yet still holding a useful point and two remaining Group K fixtures to shape their World Cup campaign.