Fans flocked to see Cristiano Ronaldo, hoping for a performance akin to Lionel Messi’s stunning display just a night earlier. Despite their efforts to rally their idol, the spotlight ultimately fell on 16 players whose contributions were far more commendable. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faced an early setback with João Neves’s goal but showcased remarkable resilience, leveling the score through Yoane Wissa and demonstrating a solid defensive effort.
Roberto Martínez kept Ronaldo on the field for the entire match, yet his impact was limited to just a couple of half-chances midway through the second half, reinforcing worries that his presence might be more of a burden than an asset.
The crowd’s excitement was palpable when Ronaldo first touched the ball at two minutes, thrilling fans with a sideways pass to João Cancelo. This moment highlighted why many had come to the game. The Texans embraced their encounter with football fandom, even as torrential rains created difficult driving conditions for those traveling from downtown Houston.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had ensured Ronaldo’s eligibility by suspending the final two matches of a three-game ban, arrived on time. Soon, thousands donned in red, many with the number seven emblazoned, erupted in cheers when Neves scored. Though not widely recognized, his powerful header, following a cross from Pedro Neto, left goalkeeper Lionel Mpassi helpless as the ball zipped into the corner of the net.
This was the start that the DRC must have dreaded. Their support was confined to small groups of expatriate fans, as a 21-day Ebola quarantine for visitors from their home country significantly limited attendance. Under coach Sébastien Desabre, the team had prepared in a bubble in Belgium before arriving in Houston, where they were received warmly in the days leading up to the tournament.
After Neves’s goal, the DRC began to show signs of life. Wissa narrowly missed with a shot, and his strike partner, Cédric Bakambu, had a shot deflected. Meanwhile, Ronaldo voiced his frustration at a booking received by Bernardo Silva, which drew boos after a reprimand from referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim appeared on the big screen.
When Nuno Mendes threatened to score during a burst down the left, Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a crucial intervention to keep the match competitive. While Portugal maintained control, Ronaldo briefly perked up when Cancelo’s cross went too far ahead. Wan-Bissaka again thwarted Mendes, leading to occasional moments of tension for the DRC’s experienced defense.
However, this DRC team was not the same as the one that suffered a notorious defeat in 1974, known then as Zaire. They found their footing in the game, and just before halftime, the DRC secured a vital equalizer. A shot from Samuel Moutoussamy resulted in two corners; the second, taken short, allowed Arthur Masuaku to cross. Wissa, unmarked, rose high to head the ball into the net, igniting jubilant celebrations along the touchline.
Portugal paid the price for their lackadaisical play, which, while keeping Ronaldo from overexerting himself, provided the DRC with a boost in confidence. Shortly after the break, Diogo Costa was forced to parry Bakambu’s angled shot, prompting Martínez to urge his squad to step up their game.
They found some encouragement when the DRC was penalized for taking too long over a goal kick, resulting in a corner that ultimately led to nothing. An acrobatic shot from Conceição that beat Mpassi was disallowed for offside. Portugal struggled to challenge the DRC effectively, raising the question of whether a more dynamic attack could spark a breakthrough.
When Ronaldo finally had a chance, Conceição made a run into space on the right of the box, but the cutback was slightly behind him, leading to a rushed shot that went wide. The sequence repeated itself after the second-half hydration break, much to the dismay of Ronaldo’s fans.
As the DRC showed signs of fatigue, Portugal aimed to capitalize. Bakambu squandered a golden opportunity to stun them by shooting over the bar after a promising counterattack. In response, Martínez made another tactical change, substituting Vitinha for Gonçalo Ramos. A speculative shot from Bruno Fernandes was the closest Portugal came to securing a late winner.
