52 years on, DR Congo's first World Cup goal: Wissa's header holds Portugal to 1-1

Six minutes, then stoppage time

Portugal led almost from the kickoff. In the sixth minute Pedro Neto swung in a cross and Joao Neves rose to head it past DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi at NRG Stadium in Houston. For most of the half Portugal kept the ball and DR Congo defended in a compact block, and the favourites looked set to take the lead into the break. Instead, deep in first-half stoppage time, Yoane Wissa climbed unmarked at the back post and headed past Diogo Costa to make it 1-1 (FIFA, Al Jazeera).

A goal 52 years in the making

Wissa's header was not just an equaliser. It was DR Congo's first goal in World Cup history. The team had played at only one previous finals, in 1974, when the country competed as Zaire and lost all three group games without scoring. This is their first appearance in 52 years, and the single point they took from Portugal is the first they have ever collected at the tournament (FIFA, ESPN). Coach Sebastien Desabre had said before kickoff that his side would play with "no fear" and take "measured risks" rather than sit back and survive (ANI).

Ronaldo's quiet night

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, started and played the full match on the opening night of his sixth World Cup, but he was a peripheral figure. His clearest chances came in the second half, when he poked efforts wide of the right post in the 68th and 73rd minutes. Portugal, who wore wristbands in tribute to Diogo Jota, dominated possession but could not break the DR Congo block a second time (ESPN, FOX Sports).

Group K, still open

Portugal and DR Congo both leave the opening match on one point. Group K is completed later today when Uzbekistan meet Colombia in the other first-round fixture (11:00 JST), so the standings the two opening sides set will not settle until that game is played (ESPN Group K guide). One number is already fixed: Ronaldo has opened this tournament without a goal. Score before it ends and he would be the first player to find the net at six different World Cups; for now he and Lionel Messi remain tied on five (ESPN).