Portugal 1-1 DR Congo Player Ratings: João Neves the bright light in poor team display | OneFootball

Portugal lineup versus DR Congo in Houston. (Photo: FPF)

The Seleção endured a most difficult start to the 2026 World Cup yesterday, drawing 1-1 against the Democratic Republic of Congo. João Neves opened the scoring with a fine header but DRC showed their resilience to hit back just before halftime.

Nathan Motz was at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas to evaluate each player.

Starters

Diogo Costa – 5

Not at fault for the goal but had several haphazard touches which were nearly picked off by advancing Congolese attackers. It was as if the lethargy further upfield impacted his own psychological approach to distribution.

Nuno Mendes – 5

The performance yesterday will only raise concern whether there might be an underlying physical condition limiting Nuno. Just not at his usual level. Registered 90% passing on 89 touches but only one dribble and more worryingly, was dribbled 3 times by the opposition.

Renato Veiga – 5.5

The fact he had 103 touches says a lot about Portugal’s ineptitude moving forward. Played a few good balls over the top to Neto and Chico and racked up 2 tackles and 3 clearances. Not at fault for the equalizer, and might have played even better with Dias beside him. One of Portugal’s better performers on a poor night.

Tomás Araújo – 4

Ball watching rather than marking the nearest attacker, who happened to be Yoane Wissa, who happened to thump home the equalizer. A couple clearances and a key pass but his performance was more indicative of Portugal’s centrebacks malaise.

João Cancelo – 5

Top in clearances (4) and worked hard against the physical Congolese, but dispossessed twice and most of the traffic went down Portugal’s other flank. Not good enough.

João Neves – 7, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match

Excellent header from Neto’s cross to make us all think Portugal were on their way to a memorable victory. But that would be his and Portugal’s only shot on target. Some wonderful footwork in midfield yet it would seem he and Vitinha both could be more direct.

Bruno Fernandes – 4.5

Poor. And you could blame Cristiano for not leaving Chico’s ball to him in the second half. No shots on goal, no key passes.

Vitinha – 5

134 touches, 95% passing, very little impact. There is patient and there is tedious – which of these was Vitinha yesterday? Must add a vertical dimension to his passing.

Bernardo Silva – 3.5

Anonymous. Not one significant contribution in the 45 minutes he played. Not fast enough, dispossessed twice, and yellow carded in the 13th minute.

Pedro Neto – 5.5

Assisted Neves’ goal and ran hard at the DRC backline alongside Mendes, but no dribbles and no shots.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 3.5

Sigh. Very little to rate. Missed two half chances in the second half and won a couple headers. No shots on target. Isolated from the rest of the formation and rather easily contained by DRC’s centrebacks.

Substitutes

Francisco Conceição – 6

On an afternoon when not many around him were up for it, Chico came on and demonstrated a positive work ethic. Managed to burst free on a few occasions but struggled physically with Wan-Bissaka and co. No shots, no completed dribbles.

Rafael Leão – 3

Just wretched. Bad touches and even worse ideas. Needs to get his head right before seeing the pitch again.

Nélson Semedo– 6

Inventive and energetic. Worked well alongside Chico. Took risks when others would not. If Nuno cannot sort out his fitness, more may be required of Nélson against Uzbekistan.

Gonçalo Ramos – NR