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Matchday seven of the 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway with Congo DR making history with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Houston.
England takes on European rivals Croatia in a mouth-watering Group L contest in Dallas, while Ghana faces Panama in Toronto.
The action on Thursday AEST concludes with Uzbekistan facing Colombia in Mexico City.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 SCHEDULE WITH AEST START TIMES AND DATES
MATCH CENTRE: Portugal 1-1 Congo DR
MATCH CENTRE: England vs Croatia, 6am AEST
MATCH CENTRE: Ghana vs Panama, 9am AEST
MATCH CENTRE: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, 12pm AEST
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Messi ‘makes Football look EASY!’ | 00:28
RONALDO’S DREADFUL WORLD CUP OPENER
Cristiano Ronaldo played in a record-equalling sixth World Cup on Wednesday but his Portugal side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo before England begin their bid to end a 60-year wait for a trophy.
Portuguese great Ronaldo, 41, equalled the record set on Tuesday by his old nemesis Lionel Messi but he found the going tough against a resolute Congolese defence in Houston.
Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal in the first half but Yoane Wissa of English Premier League club Newcastle equalised with a headed goal in first-half injury time to give the Congolese their first ever World Cup point.
The DRC’s achievement was even greater given that their preparations have been disrupted by the Ebola outbreak in their country.
“It is a tremendous source of pride to have earned DR Congo’s first-ever point at the FIFA World Cup, as well as its first goal,” their coach Sebastien Desabre said.
“I am very proud of my players because they represented the Congo in a very positive way and the entire country deserves it.”
Several Portugal players meanwhile were wearing wrist bands in tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash last year.
Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive major tournament games without scoring for Portugal. He had a tough act to follow after Messi scored a spectacular hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal the all-time World Cup goalscoring record, making a mockery of his 38 years.
