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World Cup 2026 was taken by storm on Tuesday and you can bet the captain of Portugal was paying attention as Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland hogged the spotlight.
Cristiano Ronaldo will appear at his sixth World Cup when he leads Portugal out against DR Congo at NRG Stadium, moving back level with his old Argentinian rival, and perhaps the biggest concern for his manager in Houston today is that Ronaldo has a chance to outstrip Messi by scoring for a sixth World Cup in a row.
The Group K game between Portugal and DR Congo might be in with a shout to become the World Cup match with the most shots by a single player in the 96-year history of the competition.
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Portugal vs DR Congo betting odds from BOYLE Sports
- Portugal WIN - 2/9
- Draw - 9/2
- DR Congo WIN - 11/1
Portugal vs DR Congo prediction
This is already a historic day for the Leopards. Portugal’s opponents are competing at the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and the first time ever under the Democratic Republic of Congo name.
In 1974, Zaire went to West Germany and lost all three group stage fixtures without scoring a goal. With the likes of Yoane Wissa, Chancel Mbemba and a smattering of players competing in Europe’s top leagues, DR Congo will be confident of a first goal, a first point and a first win at the World Cup.
If head coach Sebastien Desabre has identified a specific Group K game as his chance to achieve those milestones, this won’t be it. Portugal have qualified for every World Cup since 2002 and made it out of the group stage in both 2018 and 2022.
The Iberian side are overwhelming favourites to win the opening fixture and the group. Having breezed through qualifying, Martinez and 41-year-old Ronaldo have both been gearing up for what’s expected to be a last World Cup.
Portugal arrived in the United States in fine fettle. They haven’t been beaten since the Republic of Ireland knocked them off in their penultimate qualifying match, winning their last qualifier 9-1 against Armenia and defeating the USA, Chile and Nigeria in their last three friendlies.
With matches to come against World Cup debutants Uzbekistan and 2014 quarter-finalists Colombia, Portugal have a chance to stabilise their position and get a real foothold in the group by beating DR Congo in game one.
As long as they’re all pulling in the same direction and efficient with their attacking moments, that’s an opportunity they’re unlikely to decline.
Score prediction: Portugal 3-0 DR Congo
How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo
You can watch Portugal vs DR Congo in Group K of World Cup 2026 for free. All the information you need is in our how to watch guide.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC in the UK, FOX in the United States and SBS in Australia.
What's your Portugal vs DR Congo prediction? Will Cristiano Ronaldo get his goal? Let us know below...
