Jeremy Cross in Houston
The atmosphere amongst DR Congo supporters couldn’t be happier.
Unlike the one engulfing the Portuguese media covering their side’s opening World Cup game of 2026.
Most of them are sat inside the Houston Stadium shaking their heads at what has been witnessed in the first half.
Portugal took the lead, but Congo equalised through Yoane Wissa, with a goal of historic proportions.
It is Congo’s first ever goal at a World Cup. Back in 1974, their only previous appearance at the tournament, they lost all three games by an aggregate of 14-0.
They were so bad, even Scotland beat them.
But it’s not Wissa’s header which has aggrieved the Portuguese press pack.
It’s the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo, and manager Roberto Martinez’s reluctance to take him off.
Instead, Martinez has taken Bernardo Silva off, despite him posing much more of a threat than Ronaldo did.
Ronaldo is doing a fine impression of walking football.
He looks all of his 41 years today. Trouble is brewing.