The Democratic Republic of Congo marked a long-awaited return to football's biggest stage with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Group K opener at the NGR Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday. The result — celebrated across the DRC like a famous victory — earned the country its first ever World Cup point, 52 years after their only previous appearance, when the nation competed as Zaire in 1974.

Portugal made the perfect start when midfielder João Neves powered home a header from Pedro Neto's cross in just the sixth minute. Despite dominating possession, however, the European side struggled to convert their superiority into clear-cut chances against a disciplined Congolese backline. The equaliser came on the stroke of half-time, when Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa rose unmarked at a corner to head past goalkeeper Diogo Costa — a moment that sparked wild celebrations among Congolese fans in the stadium and set off scenes of jubilation in cities across the DRC. In the capital Kinshasa, car horns rang out and crowds poured into the streets; in Lubumbashi, in the south of the country, thousands watching in fan-zones erupted in disbelief and delight.

Cristiano Ronaldo, appearing in a record-equalling sixth World Cup at the age of 41, was a largely peripheral figure — a contrast to his great rival Lionel Messi, who had scored a hat-trick the previous day. He managed only three shots, all off-target, and wasted two late opportunities created by Francisco Conceição. A goal from João Cancelo was ruled out for offside, and veteran striker Cédric Bakambu came close to winning it for Congo, striking the post in the second half. DRC midfielder Ngalayel Mukau, 21, told reporters after the match that his side had not prepared a specific plan to contain Ronaldo.