DR Congo coach, Sebastien Desabre, has lauded his side’s discipline and tactical execution after they battled from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Portugal in a FIFA World Cup Group K encounter at Houston Stadium on Wednesday.
Facing a Portugal side led by forward Cristiano Ronaldo, the Leopards—returning to the global stage for only the second time since 1774—showed resilience to claim a valuable point despite conceding early.
Portugal made a fast start when Joao Neves struck in the sixth minute to give them the lead, but DR Congo responded bravely and restored parity just before half-time through Yoane Wissa, who finished off a determined move to level the score.
After the break, Portugal pushed to regain control and briefly believed they had retaken the lead when Joao Cancelo produced a brilliant finish. However, celebrations were halted after VAR ruled the effort out for offside.
Speaking after the match, Desabre praised his squad for adhering closely to the tactical plan that helped them withstand pressure and earn a result.
“I am very proud of my players”
“The players showed incredible commitment and selflessness,” the French tactician said.
“We executed the game plan exactly as we wanted, scored from a set piece, and honestly, I am very proud of my players because they represented the Congo in a very positive way and the entire country deserves it.”
Goalscorer Wissa reflected on the performance, highlighting the team’s determination against strong opposition.
“I’m obviously very proud today (Wednesday) because we’ve worked extremely hard. It was a very difficult match against a team that was stronger than us.
“But we showed courage and resilience. Scoring our first goal is a huge source of pride because it reflects the character of this team. The most important thing now is to keep going.”
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez also explained why DR Congo became increasingly difficult to break down as the game progressed, crediting their equaliser for shifting momentum.
“We started the match very well. Scoring should have been a great moment, but it wasn’t. I think we lost a bit of our attacking depth, lost fluency in possession, and allowed them to regain their shape somewhat,” said Martinez.
“The confidence they gained after the goal made the game very difficult, but that’s what happens at World Cups.
“I’m very satisfied with the team’s attitude. It wasn’t a problem of lacking commitment or heart; we kept trying until the very end. We can grow a lot from this match.”
The Leopards will now turn their attention to their next Group K fixture against Colombia on June 23, before wrapping up their group campaign against Uzbekistan on June 27.
