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0 Houston, Texas, June 17, (dpa/GNA) – Record-breaker Cristiano Ronaldo, had a quiet game, as Portugal were held 1-1 by the Democratic Republic of Congo in another World Cup surprise on Wednesday.
João Neves nodded Portugal ahead in the sixth minute, but Yoane Wissa’s thumping header on the last play of the first half put Congo level with their first ever World Cup goal.
João Cancelo, had a second from a superb overhead kick disallowed for offside in the second half, but Portugal mostly lacked the spark to create real danger against Congo, who were solid in defence while also threatened on several occasions.
Team captain Ronaldo shot wide in the 68th and 73rd on his most notable moments, as he failed to help his team win and become the first player to score at six World Cups.
However, Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days, and like Argentina captain Lionel Messi the previous day, has now played at six World Cups.
Messi won the World Cup for the first time in 2022, while Ronaldo is yet to win football’s biggest prize. Portugal’s form on the day did not suggest that this will change, as they shared the fate of Spain who were held 0-0 by Cape Verde in their opener on Monday.
The team will need improvement in their next Group K games against Colombia and Uzbekistan. Congo, whose build-up was complicated by the Ebola outbreak in the country, could not only celebrate a first goal but also a first point at a World Cup which should add to their confidence.
GNA
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