DR Congo became the latest supposed minnow to pull out a surprise result in Round 1, holding the much-fancied Portugal to a draw on Wednesday.
Here are our Scout Notes from the game, featuring match stats from our World Cup Toolkit page.
PORTUGAL 1-1 DR CONGO
- Goals: Joao Neves | Wissa
- Assists: Neto | Masuaku
- Tackle bonus: Fernandes, Kayembe, Sadiki
- Top points scorers: Joao Neves (10), Wissa (9), Neto (7), Masuaku (7)
TEAM STATS
PLAYER STATS
SCOUT NOTES
- This was no jammy point for DR Congo. Nor did it require goalkeeping heroics as Cape Verde’s draw did. This was an excellent defensive display, with head coach Sebastien Desabre signalling his intentions by sending his team out in a conservative 5-3-2 shape. It was a huge success. Despite Portugal bossing possession (75%), they did naff-all with it, mustering just seven shots all game. From Joao Neves‘ ($6.5m) 5th-minute opener to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s ($10.0m) first shot of the match midway through the second half, Roberto Martinez’s side had just one attempt.
- Ronaldo had a game-high three shots but was ineffective overall, sending each attempt wide from a similar position just outside the six-yard box. Roberto Martinez was forced to defend his veteran striker after the match, amid criticism from the Portuguese fanbase and media:
“I think in a match like today’s, we found it difficult to get into the box. Congo had a back five, and back then, they had a back six. They packed the defense. I think you can utilize Cristiano Ronaldo’s qualities. It doesn’t make sense to take off the world’s best goalscorer in a match where you need goals.” – Roberto Martinez on Cristiano Ronaldo, via Futbol Fantasy
- There are also no concerns about his fitness for Round 2:
“We go step by step, we analyse every day. Now, the next match isn’t in three days, it’s in six days, so it’s a different period. We analyse all the players because it’s important that everyone is at 100%, but it’s not a special case, because for us, we don’t treat Cristiano Ronaldo based on his age or a number. We treat Cristiano Ronaldo based on his symptoms, how he feels, and the aspects he covers in the match.” – Roberto Martinez on Cristiano Ronaldo, via Futbol Fantasy
- No one really impressed from a Portuguese standpoint, in fairness. A cautioned Bernardo Silva ($7.8m) was hooked at the break, while Bruno Fernandes ($8.5m) could only muster a couple of shots from distance. Bruno being Bruno, he still found Fantasy points from some avenue – this time, it was tackle bonus.
- Nuno Mendes ($5.8m) did pop up in some advanced positions, almost getting a shot away when clean through on goal, and he did take a corner, before his withdrawal after 72 minutes. There might be some more minute management going on there after his pre-tournament fitness issues, but at least he got past the hour mark.
- Ruben Dias ($5.0m) missed out, as pre-advertised in Martinez’s presser, but he’s now back in training. He should be fine for Round 2.
- The front two of Yoane Wissa ($6.2m) and Cedric Bakambu ($6.5m) caused the Portuguese backline some issues, with the former nodding in an equaliser. Defender Arthur Masuaku ($4.2m) bagged the assist from one of two key passes, and he was also hogging the corners for DR Congo, taking all four.
- The quality of DR Congo’s defensive display may cause some consternation for owners of Colombian attackers, given how adroitly they shut down Ronaldo and co here. Low-scoring games were a feature of the Leopards’ qualification campaign.
