Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: In what is probably his last FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's playing XI for their campaign opener against Group K opponents DR Congo in Houston. This will be Ronaldo's sixth World
Cup, but he hasn't yet won the trophy. He also hasn't been at his best during World Cups. Although he has scored eight goals, none of those has come in the knockout stages. His last World Cup goal was a penalty against Ghana in 2022. Meanwhile, in Euro 2024, he failed to find the back of the net. This is also the first time Portugal and DR Congo will face each other in international football. DR Congo will also make its second-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. Their last appearance came in 1974, when they were known as Zaire. Congo also has some star names this year, including Yoane Wissa, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzabe and Cedric Bakambu, who were key during qualification. Portugal's midfield could be the difference in the match. The midfield is expected to consist of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva.
Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: Portugal - Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Bernardo, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo
DR Congo - Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Kayembe, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu.
Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: Speaking ahead of the match, Ronaldo said, "It is important to get off to a good start, do well in the first and second matches and then finish first in the group."
"Then we go match by match, but not with the expectations of winning it all. It has to be step by step. A good start is the most important thing."
Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: Portugal will also honour Diogo Jota with commemorative wristbands. Jota, who bagged 49 caps and scored 14 goals for the European team, is still remembered by its players. Speaking to Reuters, Vitinha said, "Basically, the story of the wristband is, when we went to meet with the Prime Minister, he offered us this wristband."
"They made sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifics for us to be able to enter the pitch with it, with the names of all the players plus the special name of Diogo Jota," he added.
Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: This will be Ronaldo's sixth FIFA World Cup. He has 143 international goals in their recent friendlies, he has been missing chances, with some fans feeling that he needs to be on the bench. In his last nine matches at major tournaments for Portugal, he hasn't scored.
Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: For Portugal, Ruben Dias won't be available after suffering an injury in a friendly vs Nigeria. Speaking ahead of Portugal's opener, head coach Martinez said, "Only Ruben Dias is not 100 percent for tomorrow so no, he’s not fit to play."
"We did the medical checks, everything is structurally fine, we just need to avoid taking risks. Medically, we need him to be 100 percent."
Portugal vs DR Congo LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: Portugal open their FIFA World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Houston. The spotlight will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, as he chases the one trophy, which he hasn't been able to get his hands on yet! Stay tuned folk! Its going to be an entertaining thriller!