DRC grew into the game and were rewarded deep in first-half stoppage time when an unmarked Yoane Wissa scored the African nation’s first-ever goal at a World Cup when he headed in a cross whipped into the box from Arthur Masuaku.
Portugal came out for the second half with more urgency after an opening period that lacked intensity and at times more resembled a training session, with their formidable midfield knocking the ball around but with nothing to show for it.
Cedric Bakambu came close to an upset when he struck the post for the Congolese in the second period, while Ronaldo twice fired wide from close range as he appeared at a sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, who became the oldest player to ever start a World Cup match, was largely ineffective and saw little of the ball as DRC defenders denied him space to operate inside the box.
Debutants Uzbekistan face Colombia in the second Group K match later on Wednesday in Mexico City.
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