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Portugal v DR Congo Tremendous Increase
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When Matheus Nunes was reminded of working in his godfather’s pastry store in the course of the press convention for Portugal’s World Cup 2026 opener, the Manchester Metropolis participant admitted he had “by no means imagined” taking part in with Selecao captain and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
As soon as an unsuccessful trialist for Leicester Metropolis, Nunes is making ready to satisfy DR Congo in Houston within the firm of 41-year-old Portugal captain Ronaldo, who’s the all-time high worldwide scorer and focusing on the title at what is nearly definitely his final World Cup.
“We’re proud to be right here with Cristiano,” stated Nunes. “Ten years in the past, I used to be taking part in within the sixth division, so I by no means imagined it.
“For us, it’s an enormous honour to be right here with him. Everybody is aware of what an ideal determine he’s. If we are able to win the title for him, it could be one thing very huge.”
A pre-tournament journey to the seashore, Nunes stated, was a part of adapting to the local weather quite than an indication of slackness from a squad being tipped by many to problem.
“I, for instance, spend the yr taking part in in Manchester,” defined the 27-year-old. “It’s not as sizzling there. It’s an enormous distinction.
“Going to the seashore within the morning to adapt to the warmth, solar and humidity was a part of the plan. We’re not spending extra time on the seashore than at coaching.”
Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the extra-time purpose in Zapopan to ship DR Congo to the finals with a play-off win in opposition to Jamaica.
“What a day it was,” stated Burnley’s Tuanzebe, whose earlier golf equipment additionally embody Aston Villa and Napoli, chatting with FIFA.
“For me, scoring the purpose, I didn’t actually assume an excessive amount of of self accolades. It was extra what it meant to the crew, nation and other people.
“We will actually be a darkish horse. Loads of the opposition should not actually conscious of what we are able to carry by way of our power ranges, patterns of play and an actual togetherness that we have now.”
The 2-time African champions are making their second look on the World Cup, having misplaced three video games in 1974, after they have been often called Zaire.
“Our path to qualification was fairly tough,” stated head coach Sebastien DesabreIt, discussing a run that additionally included seven wins, a draw and two defeats to complete two factors behind computerized qualifiers Senegal in the course of the preliminary stage. “It was a do-or-die state of affairs [against Jamaica].”
That is the primary match in Group Okay, which continues when Uzbekistan meet Colombia in Mexico Metropolis on Thursday (03:00 BST).
Portugal then face Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday (18:00), adopted by DR Congo in opposition to Colombia in Zapopan on Wednesday (03:00).
World Cup 2026: Portugal v DR Congo crew information
Manchester Metropolis centre-back Ruben Dias missed a lot of the second half of the season with a hamstring harm however returned for Portugal’s pleasant wins over Chile and Nigeria this month and has skilled absolutely.
Ronaldo sat out his nation’s first two matches of the yr with a hamstring harm and began each warm-up video games as captain, that includes for 45 minutes in opposition to La Roja adopted by a 65-minute outing in opposition to the Tremendous Eagles.
Benfica defender Tomas Araujo might make his second aggressive worldwide look, having beforehand featured in opposition to Croatia within the Nations League in November 2024.
Samu Costa is Portugal’s different outfield participant with a single-figure caps complete. The Mallorca midfielder’s two aggressive outings have been temporary cameos in opposition to Poland throughout that Nations League marketing campaign.
Rocky Bushiri withdrew from DR Congo’s squad with an Achilles harm sustained whereas taking part in for Hibernian on the ultimate matchday of the Scottish season.
Kilmarnock midfielder and former England youth worldwide Aaron Tshibola has changed the centre-back.
Yoane Wissa might make his first look at a serious match since September 2024, having struggled with a knee harm and scored one Premier League purpose final season after becoming a member of Newcastle from Brentford for £55 million.
Wissa didn’t return to full health in time to function on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, at which DR Congo’s extra-time exit to Algeria within the final 16 marked Gael Kakuta’s most up-to-date aggressive match for his nation.
The massively skilled former Chelsea and France Underneath-21 winger returned as a second-half substitute within the 2-1 defeat to Chile in a pleasant on June 9.
