Related videos:
Portugal kicked off the with a bitter taste: this Wednesday at NRG Stadium in Houston, marking the debut of both teams in Group K. The result leaves the Lusitanians with the feeling that they squandered a clear opportunity in their first match of the tournament.
The start was promising. João Neves opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a goal that seemed to lay the groundwork for a comfortable victory for Roberto Martínez's team. Portugal controlled the game, and Congo barely approached the opposing area.
But the script changed at the worst possible moment. Yoane Wissa, forward for Newcastle United and the main offensive reference for the Africans, equalized in the 45th minute with a goal that came just before halftime. The equalizer at the last moment of the first half was a difficult psychological blow to absorb and left the Portuguese locker room with doubts before heading into the break.
The second half was a possession monologue without reward. Martínez turned to the bench with five substitutions: Francisco Conceição came on in the 46th minute, followed by Rafael Leão in the 71st, Nélson Semedo in the 72nd, and Gonçalo Ramos in the 83rd, but none managed to break the Congolese blockade. Congo regrouped systematically and defended the point with tactical discipline.
Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, is competing in his sixth consecutive World Cup, matching the historic record for appearances, but he did not score. The Portuguese star has accumulated seven goals in 22 World Cup matches and is the only player to have scored in five different tournaments, but this Wednesday he could not add to that tally. For someone pursuing the only major trophy that is still absent from his collection, starting with a blank slate brings additional pressure to what could be his last World Cup.
The statistics clearly illustrate the paradox of the match. Portugal dominated with 75% possession compared to Congo's 25%, but only registered one shot on goal against the two from their opponent. The Africans, having the ball at their feet for only a short period, had more attempts —eight in total— and were more efficient with their chances. The corners were equal, with four for each team, and the fouls were also similar: nine for Portugal compared to ten for Congo.
The disciplinary section did not favor the Portuguese either. Portugal received three yellow cards—Bernardo Silva in the 13th minute, Semedo in the 88th, and Tiago Araújo in the 90th—compared to just one for the opponent, Mbemba's in the 32nd minute.
With this result, Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo share a point in Group K, a group that also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan. The draw does not close any doors, but it does require the Portuguese to respond as soon as possible: on June 23, they will face Uzbekistan and on June 27, they will conclude the group stage against Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Filed under: