Portugal vs DR Congo — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-294CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · HOUSTON

Portugal

1–1

Congo DR

Match events

J. Nevesassist P. Neto6'1–0
B. Silva13'
B. SilvaOn: F. Conceicao46'
P. NetoOn: R. Leao71'
N. MendesOn: N. Semedo72'
VitinhaOn: G. Ramos83'
N. Semedo88'
T. Araujo90+2'

32'C. Mbemba
1–145+5'Y. Wissaassist A. Masuaku
57'N. MukauOn: N. Sadiki
74'E. KayembeOn: C. Pickel
74'A. MasuakuOn: J. Kayembe
85'C. BakambuOn: S. Banza
85'A. Wan-BissakaOn: G. Kalulu

PORMatch statsCOD

75%Possession25%

7Shots8

1Shots on Target2

5Corners4

9Fouls10

3Yellow Cards1

Portugal — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

26Francisco Conceição
17Rafael Leão
2Nélson Semedo
9Gonçalo Ramos
12José Sá
22Rui Silva
3Rúben Dias
5Diogo Dalot
14Gonçalo Inácio
6Matheus Nunes
24Samú Costa
21Rúben Neves
16Francisco Trincão
19Gonçalo Guedes
11João Félix

Congo DR — starting XI

5-3-2

Bench

14Noah Sadiki
12Joris Kayembe
18Charles Pickel
24Gedeon Kalulu
23Simon Banza
16Timothy Fayulu
21Matthieu Epolo
5Dylan Batubinsika
7Nathanaël Mbuku
10Théo Bongonda
15Aaron Tshibola
9Brian Cipenga
11Gaël Kakuta
13Meschak Elia
19Fiston Mayele

All-time meetings

Portugal wins

Draws

DR Congo wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

28.1

Average Age

29.1

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

Portugal

Jun 17

vs Congo DR

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · NRG Stadium

1–1

Jun 10

vs Nigeria

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa

2–1

Jun 6

vs Chile

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Nacional do Jamor

2–1

Mar 31

at USA

Friendlies · Friendly International · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

2–0

Mar 29

at Mexico

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Azteca

0–0

DR Congo

Jun 17

at Portugal

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · NRG Stadium

1–1

Jun 9

vs Chile

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Municipal Ciudad de La Linea

1–2

Jun 3

vs Denmark

Friendlies · Friendly International · Maurice Dufrasnestadion

0–0

Mar 31

vs Jamaica

World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs · Final · Estadio Akron

1–0

Mar 25

vs Bermuda

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Jalisco

2–0

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

// Central midfield · The puppet-master duel

Bruno Fernandes

#8 · Manchester United

N. Sadiki

#14 · Union St. Gilloise

Bruno's press resistance and range will be severely tested by Sadiki's work rate in the middle. If Portugal can control the tempo through Bruno's distribution, they neutralise Congo's disruptive play; if Sadiki forces chaos, Congo get their best chance to compete.

// Left flank · The pace and power exchange

Nuno Mendes

#19 · Paris Saint Germain

T. Bongonda

#10 · Spartak Moscow

Mendes' explosive athleticism should dominate the left side against Bongonda's more direct, physical approach. Portugal expect to win this channel decisively and create overlaps; Congo will hunt for Bongonda's one chance on a long ball over the top.

// Attacking striker vs Centre-back · The technical trickery test

Félix's low centre of gravity and directional changes will probe Kapuadi's positioning; the Legia defender must avoid fouling. If Félix receives early, he isolates Kapuadi and finds space; if Congo sit deep and compress, they force Félix wide and nullify his best traits.

06 · Style Clash

The Architects vs The Wreckers

Portugal's intricate passing and midfield control meet Congo's scrappy, ball-winning aggression in a study of spatial discipline versus disruptive intensity.

// Technical, possession-dominant; press-resistant midfield play

Portugal

// Compact, direct; counter-press and long-ball aggression

DR Congo

Patient

Possession & Build

Disruptive

Pressing

Defensive Shape

Compact

Controlled

Transition Tempo