Portugal v DR Congo LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo begins sixth World Cup campaign after Messi shines | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo has waited patiently for his first outing at World Cup 2026 and the sight of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe all shining in their first apperances of the tournament will have fired up the Portugal leader even more.

In his sixth - and presumably final - World Cup, Ronaldo will look to guide a team with huge strength in depth behind him towards the latter stages despite questions over whether he is now more hindrance than help to head coach Roberto Martinez.

They begin their Group K campaign with a moderately tricky assignment against a DR Congo side that took the long route towards qualification but are expected to put up a reasonable fight in a pool also featuring Colombia and debutants Uzbekistan.

Ronaldo's World Cup record

He has eight World Cup goals to his name so far, one short of Eusebio's Portuguese record but some way short of where Mbappe and Messi currently reside.

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:58

DR Congo XI

Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:50

Portugal XI

D Costa; Mendes, Araujo, Veiga, Cancelo; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, B Silva; Ronaldo

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:46

Tonight's referee

Abdulrahman Al-Jassim from Qatar will be the man with the whistle in Houston.

The 38-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2013. He was a VAR in 2018 and took charge of three games in Doha three and a bit years ago.

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:40

'The striker, the killer'

If anyone was in doubt over Martinez’s pre-tournament stance towards Ronaldo, just have a read of his pre-match comments below. The question, however, is if the main man struggles in this one, how willing will the head coach be to make a change?

“It’s his sixth World but I can tell you that, internally, it feels like his first when it comes to intensity, emotions and how important it is to be ready,” said Martinez on Tuesday. “He’s essential to the team - he’s the striker, the killer, he can open up space for other players and he’s got excellent numbers.”

Martinez during his pre-match press conference (Reuters)

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:32

DR Congo's star man - and a bit of Mukau magic

Star player – Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United: The forward arrives in the US following a campaign of frustration at St James’ Park, where the 29-year-old failed to kick on following a big money move because of a nagging knee injury. Fit now, if he can shine like he did during a final campaign at Brentford their chances of making it out of the group grow immeasurably.

Breakout talent – Ngal'ayel Mukau, Lille: One of several players born in Belgium who instead chose to represent the nation of their elders, the tidy midfielder stood out for Lille this season by delivering a series of all-action box-to-box performances. At 21 he appears a player capable of doing everything well, if not yet dazzling in one specific area.

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:24

Portugal's star man - and it's not Ronaldo

Star player – Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United: The assist machine who was voted by experts and his peers as Premier League player of the season instead of several Arsenal players is the creative king for his country too, despite their envious selection of playmakers. If he can get on the same wavelength as Ronaldo, or whoever plays up top, early on then they may well thrive.

Breakout talent – Joao Neves, Paris Saint-Germain: This squad is so jam packed with household names that it is impossible to name a breakout in the truest sense. But the PSG midfielder appears the most probable to reach a new level of global appreciation following a stunning campaign. At 21, he is set to elevate his status from one of the world’s best young midfielders to one of the top central players full stop.

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:16

DR Congo squad in full

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy ​Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedeon ‌Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Elia Meshack (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larissa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngalayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah ⁠Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock)

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), ⁠Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), ‌Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)

Coach: Sebastien Desabre

Alan Smith17 June 2026 16:08

DR Congo preview

When The Leopards made their only previous World Cup appearance, in 1974 as Zaire, they were Africa’s sole representative. This time they are one of 10 and seem a dead cert to acquit themselves more positively.

That would not take much considering the side 52 years ago failed to score and conceded 14 in their three group games, including nine to Yugoslavia, but Sebastien Desabre will also bring a team that should be imbued with enough confidence to make the knockouts if they can defeat Uzbekistan.

Axel Tuanzebe was the hero of an elongated qualifying campaign, scoring the extra-time winner in their intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, and he is one of several familiar to fans of English club football.

Noah Sadiki, fresh off an impressive campaign at Sunderland, is vital in midfield while Yoane Wissa, the undisputed star, carries the pressure of finding some magic in open play for a team that is organised and difficult to break down.

Alan Smith17 June 2026 15:50