Ronaldo Goalless as Portugal Ties Congo, Kane Scores 2 as England Beats Croatia

After a day of multi-goal superstar action from Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi, it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s turn to step up and open his sixth World Cup with Portugal in Houston.

But this superstar would be denied a goal for the entire 90 minutes, and his European powerhouse of a soccer club would be held to a tie by Congo on June 17.

Portugal drew first blood with a goal from João Neves just six minutes into the match, but the Congolese kept up the pressure and forced the equalizer mere seconds before the end of the first half. A corner kick in the final minute of stoppage time turned into a soaring header from Yoane Wissa, who leapt high above the other players to redirect the ball toward the back of the net.

Neither team would score a goal in the second half.

Portugal retained possession of the ball for 75 percent of the game, but Congo would utilize more of their time on attacks, ultimately outshooting their opponents.

This was Congo’s first World Cup game since 1974, when it was still called Zaire. Today marked the first goal and first WC point ever for the national team.

This upset follows Cape Verde’s dramatic debut game earlier in the week, in which they held Spain—considered the second-best team in the world—to a 0–0 draw.

Kane Leads England to 4–2 Victory Over Croatia

Superstar action resumed that afternoon in Dallas as Harry Kane scored England’s first two goals of this World Cup in what would be a 4–2 win against Croatia.

Kane earned his first goal on a penalty kick 12 minutes in—a penalty kick that he was able to redo after the referee determined the goalkeeper was set up improperly.

Martin Baturina scored Croatia’s first goal of the tournament to tie the match after 36 minutes of play. It was the first goal England has allowed in 11 games, since 2024.

Kane would get his second goal, throwing a header off a corner kick 42 minutes into the game to reclaim the lead. But Croatia’s Petar Musa would find the back of the net in the final minute of stoppage play to end the half. Musa, wide open on the corner of the penalty box, took a quick tick off a passing header from Igor Matanovic right in front of the goal, surrounded by three defensemen.

However, England dominated the second half.

Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic faced a total of 22 shots from England, saving seven of the 11 shots that got on goal while his teammates blocked another two shots.

But two other English players would get past him before the 90 minutes were up. Jude Bellingham’s goal kicked off the second half, sparking celebrations by the 47-minute mark. Then, Marcus Rashford got the fourth and final goal at 85 minutes.

After this match, Ghana was set to play Panama in Toronto at 7 p.m. ET., and then debutant Uzbekistan was scheduled to face Colombia in Mexico City at 10 p.m.

Once the referee calls full-time on that late game, all 48 teams will have played their opening match of the largest World Cup in the tournament’s history.

All eight of these teams will play again on June 23.

Portugal will face Uzbekistan next in Houston at 1 p.m.

Croatia and Panama will play in Toronto at 7 p.m.

England’s next game will be against Ghana in Boston at 4 p.m.

Congo and Colombia will play in Guadalajara at 10 p.m.