Cristiano Ronaldo’s bid for World Cup glory got off to a disappointing start on Wednesday as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening Group K fixture.

The result marked a historic achievement for DR Congo, who secured their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals and scored their first goal on football’s biggest stage.

Portugal appeared to be on course for victory after midfielder Joao Neves headed home from a Pedro Neto cross in the sixth minute, giving the European side an early lead.

However, despite enjoying the majority of possession, Portugal struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances. Their inability to extend the lead proved costly as DR Congo struck back deep into first-half stoppage time.

Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa rose unmarked inside the penalty area to power a header past goalkeeper Diogo Costa, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Congolese players and supporters.

The match also marked a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese captain found it difficult to influence proceedings and was largely kept quiet throughout the encounter.

Ronaldo’s subdued display contrasted sharply with that of his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s achievement was made even more remarkable by the challenges faced during their preparations, which were disrupted by an Ebola outbreak in the country.

Before kick-off, several Portugal players wore wristbands in tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last year.

The draw leaves Group K finely balanced, with DR Congo earning a memorable result and Portugal facing early questions as they seek to progress in the tournament.