Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stunned former European champions Portugal by holding them to a 1-1 draw at the Huston Stadium on Wednesday in the opening match of Group K at the World Cup.
It was the Portuguese who showed intension to score early and getting their goal in the sixth minute through Joao Neves from a Pedro Neto supply.
Congo who are at their first World Cup since 1974 could have equalised through Yoane Wissa but this effort narrowly missed the target.
There was another attempt by the Central Africans soon after from Cedric Bakambu but it was swiftly blocked by the Portuguese defense.
Portugal missed opportunities to double their lead through Bruno Fernandes but he missed the target in the 17th minute. Meanwhile Edo Kayembe came close to equalising just after the half hour mark.
And their persistence paid off in injury time of the opening half through Wissa who levelled just before the break.
Both sides continued where they left in the second half with Portugal almost regaining their lead nine minutes into the stanza with Joao Cancelo netting with a bicycle kick however the goal was flagged for offside.
Two minutes later it what the Congolese with a shot to take the lead for the first time through Bakambu.
There were other chances for DRC to get a second goal but were let down by their final touch. They still have to Uzbekistan and Colombia to play in the group.
The Leopards collect their first ever point in World Cup history, with Wissa going into the history books after netting his country’s first ever World Cup goal.
