FIFA World Cup: DR Congo score 1st World Cup goal, pull out surprise draw vs. Portugal

Yoane Wissa scored a goal in first-half stoppage time and the Democratic Republic of Congo pulled off a surprising 1-1 draw against Portugal in the opening World Cup game for each side to begin Group K play at Houston on Wednesday.

Portugal dominated possession but had just one shot on goal as DR Congo goaltender Lionel Mpasi finished without a save. DR Congo earned a point in the country's second-ever World Cup appearance, and first since 1974, when it was known as Zaire.

DR Congo's draw was one of the more stunning results of early World Cup action, alongside the 0-0 draw Cape Verde orchestrated in their World Cup debut against a tournament favorite in Spain on Monday.

Joao Neves scored an early goal for Portugal, which owned possession for 68% of the match and completed 804 passes to 268 for DR Congo and yet were unable to secure the victory.

Due to the draw, Portugal fell two spots to seventh in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. DR Congo rose three spots to No. 43 with the result. Colombia or Uzbekistan can move atop the Group K table should either side win their opening match Wednesday night in Mexico City.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo tied Lionel Messi of Argentina by appearing in his sixth career World Cup. Messi set the mark when he played in his squad's opener Tuesday, scoring three goals in the process.

Ronaldo took three shots but was unable to make the impact that some of the world's stars achieved during a dynamic Tuesday of action. In addition to Messi's hat trick in an Argentina victory, Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappe each scored a pair of goals in wins.

Portugal took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when Pedro Neto sent in a cross and Neves headed it into the goal between a pair of DR Congo defenders.

DR Congo's equalizer came just before halftime when Arthur Masuaku lobbed a ball into the box, and Wissa drilled home a header in traffic for his country's first-ever World Cup goal after they were outscored 14-0 in their first World Cup appearance.

Despite holding possession for just 25% of the match, DR Congo still had an 8-7 advantage in total shots, as well as a 2-1 edge in shots on target.

--Field Level Media/Reuters