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DR Congo Mark World Cup Return with Historic Draw Against Portugal
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The Democratic Republic of Congo made a memorable return to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence, earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Group K opener and frustrating one of Europe’s strongest sides.
The result represented a significant achievement for the Leopards, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 1974. It also extended Portugal’s disappointing record in opening World Cup matches, with the European nation managing just one victory in its last five tournament openers.
Portugal appeared set for a comfortable evening after making a dream start to the encounter. Just six minutes into the game, midfielder João Neves rose highest to connect with a precise cross from Pedro Neto, heading the ball beyond the goalkeeper to hand his side an early lead.
The goal continued an impressive run of form for the young midfielder, who has now scored four times in his last two competitive international matches.
Despite falling behind early, DR Congo refused to be intimidated and gradually settled into the contest. The African side began creating opportunities of their own, with Yoane Wissa narrowly missing the target before veteran striker Cédric Bakambu saw a promising effort blocked by Portugal’s defence.
Although Portugal controlled large spells of possession and showcased their midfield quality through players such as Bruno Fernandes, they struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances. Fernandes produced a brilliant pass to release Nuno Mendes behind the Congolese defence, but goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi reacted quickly to deny the full-back and keep his side in the game.
As the first half progressed, DR Congo grew increasingly confident and organised. Their determination was rewarded shortly before the break when Wissa capitalised on poor marking from a corner kick. Left completely unchallenged inside the penalty area, the forward powered a header beyond goalkeeper Diogo Costa to level the scores.
The goal was a landmark moment for the Central African nation, as it marked DR Congo’s first-ever goal in FIFA World Cup history.
The equaliser sparked celebrations among the Congolese supporters and highlighted the team’s resilience after a difficult start.
Portugal attempted to regain control after the interval and increased the intensity of their attacks. Head coach Roberto Martínez introduced Francisco Conceição, whose pace and creativity immediately added urgency to the Portuguese frontline.
The substitutes nearly made an instant impact when João Cancelo found the net with an acrobatic finish, only for the assistant referee to raise the offside flag and rule the effort out.
DR Congo continued to pose a threat on the counterattack. Bakambu came close to putting his side ahead when he struck the post during a dangerous attacking move, although the chance was eventually cancelled out due to a foul earlier in the build-up.
Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, was later presented with his clearest opportunity of the evening. However, the veteran forward was unable to convert Francisco Conceição’s inviting delivery as the Congolese defence held firm.
Both teams pushed for a winning goal during an entertaining final phase of the match, but neither side could find the breakthrough needed to claim all three points.
For DR Congo, the draw represents a major step forward and a dramatic contrast to their only previous World Cup appearance, where they lost all three matches without scoring a single goal.
With upcoming group-stage fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia still to come, the Leopards have given themselves a realistic chance of advancing to the knockout rounds and continuing what is already shaping up to be a historic World Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Portugal will be left frustrated after failing to convert their dominance into victory and will now face added pressure in their remaining Group K matches as they seek qualification for the next stage of the tournament.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the game.
The 39-year-old made the announcement on Monday in a lengthy statement posted on his Instagram account, saying he had reached the point where he could no longer continue representing the national team.
Messi said the decision was painful but insisted that he believed the time had come to step aside after two decades of service to Argentina.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” the football superstar stated.
The announcement came less than two months after Messi led Argentina to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
It was a disappointing end to a tournament for Messi, who had previously guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 after defeating France on penalties in the final in Qatar.
Reflecting on his international career, Messi said he had always given his best for the national team and was proud of the achievements he recorded with his teammates.
“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” he said, adding that a new generation of players deserved the opportunity to represent the country.
Messi also thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who contributed to his journey with Argentina, saying he would continue to support the national team from outside the pitch.
His decision comes shortly after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August. Before his latest announcement, the Argentina star had admitted that the loss had left him uncertain about how much longer he would continue playing football.
Messi’s retirement closes a hugely successful international chapter that included the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, alongside numerous individual records.
Despite ending his international career, Messi remains contracted to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, with his deal reportedly running through the end of the 2028 season.
Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe both struck as Real Madrid’s perfect start to La Liga under Jose Mourinho continued in a 4-0 cruise against Malaga on Sunday.
Los Blancos scored three times in just over 10 minutes in the first half to open up a comfortable lead over the Andalusian visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sandwiched between Bellingham and Mbappe’s strikes was an own goal by Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero, while Arda Guler tapped in a fourth late on.
“I’ve got the freedom to go higher or lower if we need, I’m enjoying myself a lot,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV of his attacking midfield role under Mourinho.
The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund star was given a standing ovation from the fans when he was substituted in the second half.
“It’s an honour to play for this club and in front of these fans, and the ovation was very nice,” added Bellingham.
After two victories in their opening two games and with superstar trio Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius Junior starting the season well, Madrid’s confidence was high.
Mourinho rotated, making five changes to the team that started their opening matches, giving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella, among others, their first starts this season.
Bellingham opened the scoring after 19 minutes with an excellent solo goal, beating two defenders before drilling through Herrero’s legs.
Bellingham forced the second goal seven minutes later, after Herrero denied Mbappe.
The England international headed the rebound towards goal and defender Carlos Puga desperately tried to clear off the line, with the ball bouncing in off Herrero.
Mbappe rattled home the third with a volley from Alexander-Arnold’s cross for his fourth goal of the campaign, leaving him top of Spain’s scoring charts.
Promoted side Malaga threatened just before half-time, with Rafa Rodriguez striking the post after a corner was played to him, and Chupe hitting the side netting.
– Clean sheet banked –
Madrid cruised through the second half, with Bellingham hitting the outside of the post as they occasionally threatened to extend their lead.
They only managed to get a fourth late on, when Vinicius teed up substitute Guler to finish from point-blank range.
“The second half was more about managing the game, at a lower tempo. Malaga were calmer on the ball, but every time we stepped up the pace, it always felt like we could score one or two more.
“One of our objectives was to keep a clean sheet.”
Madrid managed to do that for the first time this season, and Mourinho said it was important for Los Blancos.
“Football isn’t just about having fun with the beauty of the goals — it’s also about going home thinking that we’re a solid unit,” added the Portuguese veteran.
Deportivo La Coruna secured their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Valencia.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted his third goal of the campaign for the Galician side, who also benefitted from own goals by Cesar Tarrega and Mouctar Diakhaby.
Edin Terzic’s Athletic Bilbao also claimed their first win, 2-0 at Celta Vigo, with goals from Alex Berenguer and Robert Navarro.
On Monday, champions Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano in their third match of the campaign, having comfortably won their opening games.
AFP
Moses Itauma has been given the all-clear and is now recuperating at home with his family after a precautionary trip to hospital.
The 21-year-old from Chatham was stretchered from the ring at The O2 Arena on Saturday evening following his ninth-round stoppage loss to Filip Hrgovic in their vacant IBF heavyweight title contest.
The young fighter’s departure on a stretcher prompted immediate concern, but he was discharged after medical checks confirmed no serious issues.
“Moses has gone to the hospital for a check-up,” promoter Frank Warren confirmed. “It’s precautionary that he’s gone to the hospital. That’s what we always do to make sure, because the most important thing is the boxer’s health.”
Itauma had entered the bout unbeaten in 14 professional fights, with ambitions of becoming the second youngest heavyweight world champion in history behind Mike Tyson.
The contest had been billed as “Witness History,” and Itauma appeared destined to deliver on that promise during a blistering opening.
He controlled every round through the first half of the bout, flooring Hrgovic with a knockdown in the second and unleashing a sustained assault of heavy shots across seven rounds.
Yet the experienced 34-year-old Croatian refused to buckle, absorbing everything the young Briton threw at him.
Having never previously been taken beyond the sixth round in his career, Itauma’s energy reserves ran dry as the eighth round unfolded. Hrgovic seized his moment.
By the ninth, Itauma could barely remain upright, swinging without accuracy as he lurched around the ring. Trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel at the same moment referee Howard Foster moved to halt proceedings.
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