Portugal
- Portugal have won 7 of their last 10 matches in all competitions (D2, L1).
- Portugal have not lost in their last 5, a run which includes wins over USA, Chile and Nigeria.
DR Congo
DR Congo have won 6 of their last 10 in all competitions (D2, L2), averaging 1.67 goals per away game .
Key Players
- Portugal will take on DR Congo in Group K of the 2026 World Cup at Houston Stadium in a pivotal first game of a key group for Portugal's tournament momentum.
- Desabre has implemented a smart, disciplined style of play that allows DR Congo to be a dangerous opponent on the counterattack.
- Their 4-1-4-1 formation keeps things compact and there is plenty of pace in their wide areas, where Yoane Wissa and Theo Bongonda can provide some directness to get in behind their opponents on the break.
- Gael Kakuta is in form and has scored two of DR Congo's last four goals, but there is no denying that Portugal have more attacking quality.
- The team has had a bit of a makeover under Martinez and they have become much more of a fluid possession-based side in 4-3-3.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the talisman, but Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are the creative hub of the team.
- DR Congo will be up against it here and the goal average of Portugal suggests they are likely to have the quality to break through in the second half if they are not already in front.
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Notable names:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bernardo Silva
- Yoane Wissa
- Theo Bongonda
- Gael Kakuta
Betting Insights
- Portugal are rightful 1.31 favourites to win this game here, with DR Congo coming in as underdogs and the draw coming in at 5.7.
- Portugal have won their last 3 and are undefeated in five, so the draw looks a very unlikely outcome here.
- Portugal have averaged 3.20 goals per home game in all competitions, so 1.65 looks a fair odds in the Over 2.5 goals market and it will favor the Portuguese quality to edge things on Wednesday.
Prediction
Portugal to edge a close encounter.
