João Neves delivered a standout performance and earned the Player of the Match award as Portugal opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
The young midfielder scored the opening goal and impressed all over the pitch.
Neves gave Portugal the lead in the sixth minute. Pedro Neto swung in a good cross from the right, and Neves jumped highest to head the ball firmly into the net, giving the favourites a perfect start.
The 21-year-old showed strong control in midfield throughout the first half. He won tackles, passed the ball cleanly, helped Portugal keep most of the possession, and his movement gave space to players like Bruno Fernandes.
DR Congo stayed compact and difficult to break down. They grew into the game and equalised right before half-time when Yoane Wissa headed in a corner to make the score 1-1.
After the break, Neves kept working hard. He covered plenty of ground, stopped DR Congo attacks, and joined Portugal’s forward moves. His energy stayed high even as the match became tougher.
The game carried extra feeling. Both teams wore black armbands to remember Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July last year. After his goal, Neves pointed to the sky in a touching tribute.
Neves also wrote his name into Portuguese history. At 21 years and 263 days, he became the third-youngest scorer for Portugal at a World Cup.
He trails Gonçalo Ramos, who scored at 21 years and 169 days old during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Ramos netted a hat-trick against Switzerland in the round of 16.
He also trails teenage Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored at 21 years and 132 days in the 2006 World Cup. Ronaldo found the net from the penalty spot against Iran in 2006.
