Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was a starter for Portugal in their World Cup opener against DR Congo, while Roberto Martinez named Diogo Dalot on the bench.
Bruno Fernandes was called up for his third World Cup this summer after an incredible season for Manchester United.
Not only did United finish third and secure Champions League qualification, but Fernandes also broke the record for most assists (21) in a single Premier League season.
However, Fernandes wasn’t the only United player called up for the 2026 World Cup by Roberto Martinez. Diogo Dalot was called up for his second World Cup tournament after featuring at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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Bruno Fernandes ineffective in Portugal’s draw against DR Congo
Portugal are among the World Cup favourites with one of the strongest midfield selections at the tournament.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva up front, Portugal’s midfield trio consisted of Fernandes and the Paris Saint-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves.
It is Portugal’s seventh World Cup in a row, after reaching the quarter-finals in 2022. Tonight’s 1-1 draw does anything but help Martinez’s side to progress into the knockouts with two group matches remaining.
Fernandes featured on the left side of midfield for Portugal, but he was also allowed to drop to pick up possession in deep positions when necessary.
The United captain had reason to celebrate in the 6th minute when Pedro Neto’s cross was headed into the back of the net by Neves.
Portugal were happy to pass the ball side-to-side, while DR Congo had some half chances before Newcastle United’s Joane Wissa scored his country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup to equalise on the brink of half-time.
Fernandes and his midfield partners worked tirelessly to unlock a well-drilled DR Congo defence, but ultimately lacked the precision to force a breakthrough.
The Portuguese Magnifico touched the ball 92 times as he played the entire match, with 87% of his passes successful. That included just one chance created.
Martinez made a series of substitutions after the second hydration break, which injected more speed into their build-up play, but there was still no way through.
After 52 years since last qualifying for a World Cup, DR Congo held Portugal to a draw in what was a disappointing game for Fernandes and his teammates. They had two former United players in their line-up, including Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Bruno Fernandes started in Portugal’s 1-1 draw against DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup
- Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute
- Fernandes was ineffective throughout the match
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Cristiano Ronaldo breaks World Cup record
After Portugal’s draw against DR Congo, former United forward Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start in a World Cup match, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Ronaldo started against the African nation at the age of 41 years, 132 days.
Not only is this another record for Ronaldo, but it’s also one he can make harder to break if Portugal can progress into the latter stages, which they’re expected to do.
The veteran Portuguese star spent a lot of the game standing in an offside position, touching the ball just 25 times.
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