DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre believes his side's resilience and growing confidence were key factors behind the Leopards' hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking after the match in Houston, Desabre said his players showed the character needed to recover from an early setback and earn a valuable point.
Portugal struck first in the opening minutes, but DR Congo gradually settled into the contest and began to challenge one of the tournament's strongest teams. The Leopards eventually found an equalizer and successfully protected the result until the final whistle, securing what many observers viewed as one of the biggest surprises of Matchday One.
"I think the way the game unfolded was a little bit in our favor," Desabre told reporters after the match. "We conceded a goal very early and the Portuguese probably thought there wasn't really any danger."
The French coach said his team remained calm despite the difficult start. He pointed to previous matches, including qualifiers against Nigeria, as evidence that the current squad has developed a strong mentality capable of handling pressure.
"For our part, we gradually got into the game," Desabre explained. "We have the mental ability to manage a difficult start. I know my players are capable of reacting and getting the team back on track when the start of the game is complicated."
The result marked an encouraging beginning for DR Congo's World Cup campaign. After returning to football's biggest stage for the first time in decades, the Leopards demonstrated that they can compete against elite opposition and remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds.
Group K remains tightly balanced following the opening round of matches. Colombia lead the group after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1, while DR Congo and Portugal sit level on one point each. Uzbekistan are fourth without a point.
For Desabre and his squad, the focus now shifts to the next challenge. The draw against Portugal has provided confidence, but the Leopards know that their remaining group matches will determine whether this promising start can be transformed into a historic World Cup run.
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Desabre Eyes Next Step After DR Congo’s Draw With Portugal
19 juin 2026
19 juin 2026
3 min read
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DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre believes his side's resilience and growing confidence were key factors behind the Leopards' hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking after the match in Houston, Desabre said his players showed the character needed to recover from an early setback and earn a valuable point.
Portugal struck first in the opening minutes, but DR Congo gradually settled into the contest and began to challenge one of the tournament's strongest teams. The Leopards eventually found an equalizer and successfully protected the result until the final whistle, securing what many observers viewed as one of the biggest surprises of Matchday One.
PUBLICITÉ
"I think the way the game unfolded was a little bit in our favor," Desabre told reporters after the match. "We conceded a goal very early and the Portuguese probably thought there wasn't really any danger."
The French coach said his team remained calm despite the difficult start. He pointed to previous matches, including qualifiers against Nigeria, as evidence that the current squad has developed a strong mentality capable of handling pressure.
PUBLICITÉ
"For our part, we gradually got into the game," Desabre explained. "We have the mental ability to manage a difficult start. I know my players are capable of reacting and getting the team back on track when the start of the game is complicated."
The result marked an encouraging beginning for DR Congo's World Cup campaign. After returning to football's biggest stage for the first time in decades, the Leopards demonstrated that they can compete against elite opposition and remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds.
Group K remains tightly balanced following the opening round of matches. Colombia lead the group after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1, while DR Congo and Portugal sit level on one point each. Uzbekistan are fourth without a point.
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For Desabre and his squad, the focus now shifts to the next challenge. The draw against Portugal has provided confidence, but the Leopards know that their remaining group matches will determine whether this promising start can be transformed into a historic World Cup run.
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