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CORNERFLICK

Portugal vs DR Congo — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-294CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · HOUSTON
Portugal
VS
DR Congo
14
Days
:
02
Hours
:
57
Mins
:
14
Secs
Portugal vs DR Congo · NRG Stadium, Houston
02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

27.1
Average Age
28.9
03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

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

Portugal

W
D
W
L
D
Mar 31
at USA
Friendlies · Friendly International · Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2–0
Mar 29
at Mexico
Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Azteca
0–0
Nov 16
vs Armenia
World Cup - Qualification Europe · Group Stage - 10 · Estádio do Dragão
9–1
Nov 13
at Rep. Of Ireland
World Cup - Qualification Europe · Group Stage - 9 · Aviva Stadium
0–2
Oct 14
vs Hungary
World Cup - Qualification Europe · Group Stage - 8 · Estádio José Alvalade
2–2

DR Congo

W
W
L
W
D
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
Jan 6
at Algeria
Africa Cup of Nations · Round of 16 · Moulay Hassan Stadium
0–1
Dec 30
at Botswana
Africa Cup of Nations · Group Stage - 3 · Al-Barid Stadium
3–0
Dec 27
at Senegal
Africa Cup of Nations · Group Stage - 2 · Stade Ibn-Batouta
1–1
05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

// Central midfield · The puppet-master duel
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
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
vs
// Compact, direct; counter-press and long-ball aggression
DR Congo
Patient
Possession & Build
Disruptive
Pressing
Defensive Shape
Compact
Controlled
Transition Tempo
Explosive
Elite
Technical Demand
Functional
Overlapping
Wing Exploitation
Pressing
07 · Win Probability

Win probability.

Even-money default — ranks not yet on file.

38POR
24DRAW
38COD
38%
24%
38%
09 · The Bench

The bench faceoff.

Roberto Martínez
Portugal · Head coach

Roberto Martínez

🇪🇸
S. Desabre
DR Congo · Head coach

S. Desabre

🇫🇷
10 · The Venue

NRG Stadium

Houston · USA / CAN / MEX
Stadium guide →
72,000
Capacity
Houston
City
2002
Opened
grass
Surface
12 · Where to watch

Where to watch.

USA
FOX / Telemundo
UK & Ireland
BBC / ITV
Latin America
Globo / TyC Sports
Worldwide
FIFA+ (selected territories)
// match file
Portugal vs DR Congo.
The full dossier — form, key battles, the take — sharpens closer to kickoff.
GROUP STAGENRG Stadium