DR Congo, back at a World Cup for the first time since 1974 (as Zaire), held Portugal to a 1–1 draw in Houston — Yoane Wissa scoring the Leopards' first World Cup goal in 52 years.

The subplot was at the other end. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years and 123 days the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match, drew another blank — extending a drought to 10 consecutive World Cup/Euro matches without a goal. The final act of a titan, still searching for one more tournament goal.

Weird & wonderful

Ronaldo has taken 33 shots across that scoreless run, 11 on target. The numbers of a man who will not stop shooting — and a tournament that, so far, will not let him score.

Despite owning 75% of the ball and stringing together 724 passes — a Portugal World Cup record — Portugal generated almost nothing of substance, mustering just 0.65 xG and never seriously testing Lionel Mpasi, who faced only one save. DR Congo, parked in a 5-3-2 and content to defend, actually edged the expected-goals battle at 0.87 from their 8 shots, converting their best chance when Wissa headed home Masuaku's cross in first-half stoppage time for their first-ever World Cup goal. The scoreline flatters Portugal's territorial dominance: an early João Neves header was the only end product from all that possession, and the booking count (3 Portuguese yellows to 1) hints at the frustration as Ronaldo's side were forced into late, scrappy challenges chasing a winner that their toothless final third never threatened to deliver.