Portugal
DR Congo
Portugal open their Group K campaign at NRG Stadium in Houston against a DR Congo side making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. This is a first-ever meeting between the two nations, and the occasion could hardly be more loaded — Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years old and playing in his sixth World Cup, steps out in what may be the final chapter of the most decorated individual career in the history of the sport. Roberto Martínez's side are among the most technically gifted squads at this tournament. But after the shock of Spain being held by Cape Verde on Tuesday, nobody is taking anything for granted.
Portugal — A Seleção das Quinas
Martínez lines up in a 4-3-3, with Diogo Costa in goal behind a back four of Cancelo, Dias, Veiga and Nuno Mendes. Rúben Dias captains the side and brings the authority and leadership this defence needs — his partnership with the technically gifted Veiga gives Portugal a solid but ball-playing base. The midfield three of Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and João Neves is one of the most technically complete in the tournament — Fernandes the creative hub, Vitinha the quick-passing connector, Neves the disciplined energy provider.
Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line in what is almost certainly his final World Cup, flanked by Francisco Conceição on the right and João Félix on the left. Ronaldo arrives having had a complicated season at Al-Nassr — 27 goals, but at 41 he is no longer the explosive athlete of his peak. What he does bring is an unmatched ability to produce in the biggest moments, the movement to still threaten in behind, and the set-piece menace that has defined his international career. Portugal have won all three warm-up matches, scoring 12 goals against USA, Chile and Nigeria. The platform is there.
Their best World Cup was 1966, when they finished third. Since then — quarter-finals, semi-finals, quarter-finals — always promising, never quite delivering. Ronaldo has reached two semi-finals but never lifted the trophy. This is his last realistic chance, and the entire Portuguese squad is built around making that happen.
DR Congo — The Leopards
Sébastien Desabre sets up in a compact 5-2-1-2, with Mpasi in goal behind a back five of Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Mbemba, Tuanzebe and Masuaku. The double pivot of Mukau and Sadiki protects the back five, with Moutoussa the link between midfield and the front two. Cédric Bakambu and Lois Openda's replacement Wissa lead the attack.
The back five is genuinely intriguing — Axel Tuanzebe, the man whose extra-time goal against Jamaica secured DR Congo's place here, partners with Aaron Wan-Bissaka — both Premier League-pedigreed players who give this side a level of top-flight experience that belies their ranking. Chancel Mbemba anchors the centre alongside them. The shape is clearly designed to be hard to break down, remain compact and hit Portugal on the counter.
DR Congo's qualification story is extraordinary. They held Denmark to a goalless draw in warm-up, reached the last-16 of the most recent AFCON, and their victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff has already given this squad a belief that they can compete at the highest level. They have won two of their last four and have only suffered one defeat in that stretch. Desabre will be under no illusions about the task here, but nor will he have come simply to make up the numbers.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Bruno Fernandes vs the DR Congo double pivot. Fernandes is at his most dangerous when he receives the ball in half-spaces between the lines and can drive forward with purpose. Mukau and Sadiki will be tasked with denying him exactly that — staying compact, closing quickly and forcing him wide. If DR Congo can limit Fernandes' influence and stay compact for the first hour, they have a chance of making this uncomfortable. If he finds space and starts picking passes into the front three, Portugal can win this by any margin.
Prediction
Portugal are the class act here and should win comfortably. But Spain's draw on Tuesday serves as a timely reminder that compact defensive systems and a goalkeeper in form can cause anyone problems. DR Congo will be well organised, Wan-Bissaka and Tuanzebe are experienced defenders, and this may be tighter than expected for the first hour. Eventually though, the quality of Fernandes, Félix and Ronaldo will tell.
Portugal 3–0 DR Congo — Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Félix
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