Portugal Held to 1-1 Draw by DR Congo in World Cup Clash

Live updates: Portugal vs DR Congo

By Henry Hanson

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Key Events

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Portugal vs Congo DR

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England vs Croatia

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Match reports

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Goals

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Croatia starting XI

By Henry Hanson

It's the ageless wonder, Luka Modric, leading a Croatia side that looks like it will line up with a back three.

Peter Musa, who plays in the MLS with FC Dallas leads the line, with Mario Pasalic and Martin Baturina either side of him.

Veteran Ivan Perisic and Josip Stanisic start as the wingbacks, while Josko Gvardiol marshals the defence.

In a big surprise, Manchester City midfielder and 113-cap Croatia stalwart Mateo Kovacic starts on the bench.

England starting XI: Madueke, Bellingham get the nods

By Henry Hanson

We stay Texas in turn our attention to Dallas for our second match of the day, where England and Croatia will face off in perhaps the most eagerly awaited match of the group stage.

The big talking point in Thomas Tuchel's first World Cup starting XI is the inclusion of Arsenal winger Noni Madueke, who lines up alongside Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane in the front three.

Jude Bellingham sits behind them in the most advanced of the midfield positions, with Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice sitting.

Tuchel favourite John Stones gets the nod in the centre of defence, where he'll be joined by Ezri Konsa.

Reece James and Nico O'Reilly in the fullback roles and, of course, Jordan Pickford in goal.

Is it coming home?

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By Amanda Shalala

Hi football fans, I'm at Dallas Stadium today for England v Croatia.

I'm sure there'll be many long suffering England fans joining us on the blog today, and may your nerves hold steady as the Three Lions kick off what they acknowledge is their best opportunity to finally win another World Cup.

Star striker and captain Harry Kane is amongst the very best players in the world right now, mastermind tactician Thomas Tuchel has been praised for making the tough calls, and there's a sense of unity in this team which is perhaps stronger than in previous campaigns.

There's a supreme air of confidence around the travelling fans in Dallas too, although you wouldn't expect anything less from die hards who've spent big sums to get here.

Here's a look at all the talk in the build up.

And what do you think, is football coming home?

Match report: DRC leaves Portugal frustrated

By Henry Hanson

— with Reuters

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.

The Croatian fans are here to PLAY

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By Amanda Shalala

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.

What did we think of Ronaldo this morning?

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By Henry Hanson

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.

FT stats: DRC shade attempts and XG

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By Henry Hanson

Some pretty ugly reading for Portugal fans here.

For all their territorial dominance, the men in red barely fashioned a clear-cut chance, with DR Congo actually ending the match with more attempts on goal.

Expected goals: POR 0.64 - 0.82 DRC

Shots: POR 7 - 8 DRC

Shots on goal: POR 1 - 2 DRC

Possession: POR 75% - 25% DRC

FT: Portugal 1 - 1 DR Congo

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By Henry Hanson

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.

90 +2' Cynical from Araujo!

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By Henry Hanson

Yoane Wissa is on the halfway line and is sprinting onto a hopeful through ball.

The Newcastle United man looks for a moment like he has a clear path to goal, but Tomás Araújo makes sure that isn't the case.

He absolutely slams Wissa and receives a well-deserved yellow.

90' We're into five minutes of added time

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By Henry Hanson

And the ball is at the feet of Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the penalty area.

Fernandes takes aim and fires a left-footed shot low and just wide.

89' Yellow card for Semedo

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By Henry Hanson

DRC was breaking quickly and Nelson Semedo brings down his man, taking a yellow card to stop the counter.

88' A rare shot for Portugal

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By Henry Hanson

Portugal is circulating the ball through midfield, looking for some kind of opening.

Rafael Leao goes down a cul-de-sac on the left-hand side before the ball lands at the feet of Joao Cancelo, who has moved to left-back.

Cancelo fires in a shot but it's easily saved.

82' Portugal in need of something

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By Henry Hanson

We're well into the final stanza of this match, and it must be said, DRC is definitely looking the most energetic of the two teams.

Portugal, meanwhile, is looking slightly dazed, having never quite got going in the forward third.

They have fashioned precious few clear-cut chances so far today.

Meanwhile, centre-forward Goncalo Ramos replaces central midfielder Vitinha for Portugal.

80' Substitutions for both sides

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By Henry Hanson

Joris Kayembe and Charles Pickle come on for Arthur Masuaku and Edo Kayembe for DRC.

And Rafael Leao as well as Nelson Semedo enter the game for Pedro Neto and Nuno Mendes.

A new left-hand side for Portugal.

77' Play opening up in Houston

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By Henry Hanson

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.

74' Another chance for Ronaldo!

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By Henry Hanson

He's getting closer.

Again, it's Francisco Conceicao wreaking havoc on the right-hand side of the Portuguese attack, weaving to the touchline and pulling one back towards a lurking Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes contact, but misses the target under significant pressure.

Side netting.

72' Pass, pass, pass

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By Henry Hanson

We're hearing courtesy of the commentary team that Portugal has now completed more passes in this match than they have in any other game in their World Cup history.

That number is sitting at 613 as we return from the hydration break.

69' Ronaldo misses his moment!

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By Henry Hanson

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.