2026 World Cup: Two key lessons DR Congo learned from Nigeria that aided Portugal draw

DR Congo’s historic 1-1 draw against Portugal in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener has been hailed as one of the most impressive performances by an African nation at the Copa Mundial, Afrik Foot reports.

Yoane Wissa’s header in first-half stoppage time cancelled out João Neves’ early opener to earn DR Congo their first ever point at the FIFA World Cup.

The Leopards reached the 2026 World Cup by eliminating the Super Eagles in the CAF playoff final in Rabat, edging Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in November 2025.

Days before Portugal’s World Cup opener against DR Congo, the Super Eagles faced Roberto Martinez’s side in a friendly, exposing vulnerabilities in the Portuguese setup that the Sebastien Desabre’s site definitely took note of.

Nigeria vs Portugal friendly: The blueprint DR Congo followed

Former Super Eagles attacker Dimeji Lawal, believes that the Congolese team learned from Nigeria’s game.

“It’s unexpected, but it was a fantastic performance from the Congolese team,” the three-cap Super Eagles star said in quotes revealed by Footy Africa.

“They made Portugal look ordinary in the second half of the game. After Portugal scored the first goal, the Congolese came out strongly, and I can’t even describe or express my feelings because I never expected such a performance from them.”

Nigeria’s friendly against Portugal had already demonstrated two things clearly: that Portugal were vulnerable to direct, physical play in behind their defensive line, which was evident from Akor Adams goal against Roberto Martinez’s side when he bodied Ruben Dias and Goncalo Inacio to put the ball beyond Diogo Costa.

The second point is that Portgal’s attack could be neutralised when the opposition pressed with intensity, remained compact and denied space between the lines. DR Congo absorbed both lessons and applied them with conviction in their opening World Cup game.

Portugal, for all their technical quality in midfield with Vitinha and Joao Neves, struggle to break down sides that sit deep and hit on the break.

DR Congo replicated that blueprint, absorbing Portuguese pressure for long stretches before releasing Wissa and Bakambu on the counter. The result was a Congolese side that, as Lawal noted, never allowed their back four to commit forward with confidence, limiting Portugal’s numerical advantage in attack throughout the game.

Nigeria’s friendly revealed that Portugal’s attacking structure relies heavily on the spaces Cristiano Ronaldo creates by occupying opposition defenders; spaces that go consistently unexploited when Portugal’s supporting runners fail to make the right movements.

DR Congo identified that pattern and neutralised it by keeping their defensive shape disciplined and refusing to be drawn out by Ronaldo’s movement.

“There was never a moment when you saw the Congolese back four confidently joining the attack,” Lawal observed.

“Because of Ronaldo, they remained cautious. It was part of Portugal’s tactical approach. He occupied the defenders, but Portugal failed to take advantage of the spaces he created for the other players.”

What DR Congo’s result says about Nigeria’s World Cup absence

The broader implication of DR Congo’s performance is one that will sting Nigerian football fans deeply, because the qualities the Leopards displayed in Houston are qualities the Super Eagles possess in abundance. Lawal did not shy away from that uncomfortable truth.

“I think during the qualifying series, we were very complacent. That’s just the truth,” the 54-year-old admitted.

“There were strikes before major games, players were not arriving on time, and there were many distractions. But when it becomes the World Cup proper, the mentality is entirely different.

“The level of commitment changes because you know the whole world is watching you.”

The former Nigeria international was unequivocal in his belief that a focused Super Eagles side would have been more than capable of competing at this tournament.

“If Nigeria were in this tournament, we would not do poorly. That is the truth. Unfortunately, we did not give our best to qualify for the tournament. That is the difference.”

While Desabre’s men executed Chelle’s plan perfectly, and made history, the Super Eagles are watching from home.