Portugal held to 1-1 draw by DR Congo in World Cup clash

Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Group K rivals Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup clash in a sodden Houston on Wednesday.

Portugal took the lead inside six minutes when Pedro Neto crossed for Joao Neves to head home from 15 metres as one of the pre-tournament favourites made the perfect start, though it would be their only effort on target in the game.

DR Congo, appearing at their first World Cup since 1974, grew into the game and were level deep into added time at the end of the first half when Yoane Wissa was left unmarked from a corner to head in at the back post.

Cedric Bakambu struck the post for the Congolese in the second period, while Ronaldo twice fired wide from close range as he appeared at a sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

Last night, there was a huge parade in downtown Dallas with thousands of Croatian fans marching down the streets.

There was a 100-metre fan flag which everyone carried, and there was lots of chanting and singing, ending in a party in one of the local parks.

I bumped into Croatians from all over the world, including several Croatian-Australians. And there was an excellent Croatia-Texas infusion with plenty of cowboy hats.

They remember the incredible win over England in the 2018 semi-finals and are hoping to see it replicated today.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, cut a frustrated figure for most of that match, unable to really influence play or get on the end of anything meaningful.

He finishes with:

3 shots

0 shots on target

17 passes completed

There is a real argument to be made that Portugal is a better team without him leading the line, with Goncalo Ramos and Rafael Leao both waiting in the wings.

But whether Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has the courage (or, indeed, ability) to drop the talisman is another matter entirely.

Portugal wastes a final corner and the game peters out.

That's an excellent, excellent point for DRC.

After going down so early, it felt like things could've very easily gotten quite ugly.

However, the Leopards regrouped admirably. They fought hard defensively and took their chance when it eventually came - Yoane Wissa rising high from a corner to score his country's first ever World Cup goal.

Portugal, meanwhile, trudge off shaking their heads.

For all their possession, for all their control, the men in red created precious little.

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing the first game of his sixth World Cup, had a couple chances, but was mostly unable to get himself involved in the game.

A very creditable draw for DRC.

Okay, this is getting very interesting now.

Portugal have returned from the hydration break with a bit more incision than they had before it, but they're also leaving themselves a little more vulnerable to the counterattack.

DR Congo push forward from a defnesive corner, and a swift move ends at the feet of Cedric Bakambu on the edge of the penalty area.

His side-footed effort flies over the crossbar.

After almost 70 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo finally has a look at goal.

Francisco Conceicao is dancing his way into the penalty area before squaring the ball to Ronaldo, who does his best to angle the ball towards goal.

It's a clever little deflection, but one that doesn't trouble Lionel Nzau Mpasi in the Congolese goal.

It's just their second shot on goal today!

And we're off to another hydration break.

The nerves are jangling for Portugal.

Only moments after Joao Cancelo had his acrobatic finish ruled out, DRC streams forward.

The ball ends at the feet of Cedric Bakambu in the penalty area, who slams his effort into the post!

However, once again, the whistle is blown - this time for a foul in the buildup, I think.

Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes wears a pretty heavy tackle.

He's down for a little while but is eventually up and about.