In their first appearance at the World Cup, the Congo national football team, with a brave and disciplined performance, drew Portugal to a 1-1 draw and earned their first point in the competition.
Publish dateThursday 18 June 2026 - 09:26
Story Code : 358273
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The national football teams of Portugal and Congo faced each other in the first Group K match of the 2026 World Cup at 21:30 last night (Wednesday, 17th of June) Afghanistan time at the NRG Stadium in Houston, USA, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Portuguese began their attacks on the Congo goal from the opening minutes of the game and scored the first goal in the 6th minute. Joao Nos headed a cross from Pedro Neto from the right wing past Lionel Mpasi, the Congo goalkeeper.
After this goal, Portugal maintained its lead and sought to increase the gap by creating several chances on the opponent's goal, but the consistent and courageous defense of Congo prevented the team from opening the goal again.
With increasing confidence, the Congolese gradually sought to score and finally achieved an equalizer in the 6th minute + 45 through their famous striker, Yoann Wisa, who plays for Newcastle. With this goal, Wisa registered his name as the scorer of Congo's first goal in World Cup history.
In the second half, Portugal tried hard to achieve the lead, but Congo's regular, error-free and combative performance did not allow Roberto Martinez's team to achieve their goal. The substitutions of the Spanish coach of Portugal also did not have a decisive effect on the team's offensive process, and the few opportunities the Portuguese had did not find a way to the goal.
Congo also threatened Diego Costa's goal several times on the counterattack, but in the end the two teams' efforts ended in a 1-1 draw, stopping Portugal in their first step at the 2026 World Cup. Congo managed to earn its first point in World Cup history with this draw.
Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim was in charge of the match and showed yellow cards to Bernardo Silva, Nelson Semedo and Thomas Araujo from Portugal and Schensel Mbemba from Congo.
In the other match in this group, the teams of Uzbekistan and Ecuador will face each other from 06:00 this morning (Thursday, 18 Joza) Afghanistan time.
The parents of the late Portuguese national team and Liverpool player Diogo Jota also watched the match closely at the Houston Stadium.
With the goal he scored, Yvan Vissa recorded the first historical goal for Congo in the World Cup. "This is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life. We showed everyone that Congo is not a team to be beaten easily," he said in a post-match interview.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in the game, was unable to open the scoring for Congo. Despite his best efforts, he failed to break through against a disciplined and courageous Congo defense and failed to increase his World Cup scoring record.
On social media, Portugal fans expressed their disappointment at their team's poor performance, with some calling for a change in tactics in future games. On the other hand, Congo fans celebrated the draw by describing it as a "historic victory."
According to football experts, the game was a major surprise in Group K. Despite an early goal, Portugal was unable to maintain its lead and was held to a stalemate by a disciplined and courageous Congo defense. Observers say a lack of coordination in midfield, slow ball movement and ineffective substitutions were Portugal's main weaknesses in the match. On the other hand, Congo, with a fighting and historic performance, showed that with faith and organization, they can stand up to any team. This valuable draw will give Congo high morale for the upcoming games and also invites Uzbekistan and Ecuador to be vigilant.
The Portuguese began their attacks on the Congo goal from the opening minutes of the game and scored the first goal in the 6th minute. Joao Nos headed a cross from Pedro Neto from the right wing past Lionel Mpasi, the Congo goalkeeper.
After this goal, Portugal maintained its lead and sought to increase the gap by creating several chances on the opponent's goal, but the consistent and courageous defense of Congo prevented the team from opening the goal again.
With increasing confidence, the Congolese gradually sought to score and finally achieved an equalizer in the 6th minute + 45 through their famous striker, Yoann Wisa, who plays for Newcastle. With this goal, Wisa registered his name as the scorer of Congo's first goal in World Cup history.
In the second half, Portugal tried hard to achieve the lead, but Congo's regular, error-free and combative performance did not allow Roberto Martinez's team to achieve their goal. The substitutions of the Spanish coach of Portugal also did not have a decisive effect on the team's offensive process, and the few opportunities the Portuguese had did not find a way to the goal.
Congo also threatened Diego Costa's goal several times on the counterattack, but in the end the two teams' efforts ended in a 1-1 draw, stopping Portugal in their first step at the 2026 World Cup. Congo managed to earn its first point in World Cup history with this draw.
Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim was in charge of the match and showed yellow cards to Bernardo Silva, Nelson Semedo and Thomas Araujo from Portugal and Schensel Mbemba from Congo.
In the other match in this group, the teams of Uzbekistan and Ecuador will face each other from 06:00 this morning (Thursday, 18 Joza) Afghanistan time.
The parents of the late Portuguese national team and Liverpool player Diogo Jota also watched the match closely at the Houston Stadium.
With the goal he scored, Yvan Vissa recorded the first historical goal for Congo in the World Cup. "This is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life. We showed everyone that Congo is not a team to be beaten easily," he said in a post-match interview.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in the game, was unable to open the scoring for Congo. Despite his best efforts, he failed to break through against a disciplined and courageous Congo defense and failed to increase his World Cup scoring record.
On social media, Portugal fans expressed their disappointment at their team's poor performance, with some calling for a change in tactics in future games. On the other hand, Congo fans celebrated the draw by describing it as a "historic victory."
According to football experts, the game was a major surprise in Group K. Despite an early goal, Portugal was unable to maintain its lead and was held to a stalemate by a disciplined and courageous Congo defense. Observers say a lack of coordination in midfield, slow ball movement and ineffective substitutions were Portugal's main weaknesses in the match. On the other hand, Congo, with a fighting and historic performance, showed that with faith and organization, they can stand up to any team. This valuable draw will give Congo high morale for the upcoming games and also invites Uzbekistan and Ecuador to be vigilant.
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