Ronaldo, Portugal frustrated in Congo DR draw
Key takeaways
- Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators at NRG Stadium, which was mostly filled with Portugal supporters, Congo DR were making only there second World Cup appearance.
- Cristiano Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only men to play in six World Cups and, aged 41 years and 132 days, he became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match.
- João Neves gave Portugal the lead in the sixth minute.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Congo DR, who were playing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, became the second African nation to make a strong start in the tournament against European competition following Cape Verde's 0-0 draw with Spain on Monday.
Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators at NRG Stadium, which was mostly filled with Portugal supporters, Congo DR were making only there second World Cup appearance. The first came in 1974, when the team was known as Zaire.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only men to play in six World Cups and, aged 41 years and 132 days, he became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match. But the forward cut a frustrated figure in attack.