BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Democratic Republic of Congo marked their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup with a memorable 1-1 draw against Portugal on Wednesday, frustrating Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the tournament favourites in a spirited Group K encounter.

The goal scored by Congo is their first in World Cup history, as they lost their earlier three matches in Germany 1974. It is also the first time they have got a point in the World Cup.

Playing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, the Congolese showed resilience and determination to recover from an early setback and claim a valuable point against the 2016 European champions.

The African side appeared headed for a difficult afternoon when Portugal struck after only six minutes. Pedro Neto delivered a cross from the left, and Joao Neves rose to head home from close range, giving Portugal the perfect start.

With 41-year-old Ronaldo leading the attack in his record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance, Portugal dominated possession for much of the first half. However, despite controlling the ball, the Europeans struggled to break down a disciplined Congolese defence.

As the match progressed, DR Congo grew in confidence and began to threaten on the counterattack. Their persistence paid off deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa etched his name into the history books.

The Brentford forward became the first Congolese player to score at a FIFA World Cup, heading home an inviting cross from Arthur Masuaku to send the African supporters into celebration.

The goal not only levelled the scores but also marked a historic milestone for a nation making its first World Cup appearance since the 1974 tournament in Germany, when the country competed as Zaire.

Portugal emerged after the break with greater urgency, but DR Congo continued to match them stride for stride. The African side came within inches of pulling off a famous victory when veteran striker Cedric Bakambu struck the post in the second half.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, endured a frustrating outing. The Portuguese captain, who also became the oldest player ever to start a World Cup match, found little space against the well-organised Congolese backline and squandered two opportunities from close range.

Portugal’s midfield enjoyed long spells of possession, but the African side’s defensive discipline ensured that Joao Neves’ early goal remained Portugal’s only effort on target throughout the match.

The result will be celebrated as one of the finest moments in Congolese football history and will provide a significant boost to African hopes at the expanded 48-team tournament.

For DR Congo, the draw represents far more than a single point. It is a statement that African teams can compete with the world’s elite and a reward for a generation of players determined to restore the country’s place on football’s biggest stage.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

The FIFA World Cup 2026 reached another milestone on June 16, when a record-breaking 281,223 spectators packed stadiums across North America, making it the highest-attended single day in the tournament’s history as global superstars Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi delivered memorable performances.

FIFA announced on Wednesday that the combined attendance for four group-stage matches — France versus Senegal, Iraq against Norway, Argentina against Algeria, and Austria against Jordan — surpassed the previous single-day record of 277,070 fans set during the United States-hosted World Cup on June 28, 1994.

The historic crowd figures were matched by a day of individual brilliance from three of football’s biggest names.

France captain Mbappe scored in Les Bleus’ 3-1 victory over Senegal to become his country’s all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup with 15 goals, surpassing the previous French record.

Norway’s Haaland continued his remarkable rise on football’s biggest stage, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Iraq to become only the sixth player in World Cup history to net a brace on his tournament debut.

Meanwhile, Argentina legend Messi added another landmark moment to his glittering World Cup career, scoring in a 3-0 victory over Algeria and further extending his record as Argentina’s oldest World Cup goalscorer.

The record-setting day came just six days after the tournament kicked off at Mexico City Stadium, underlining the enormous appeal of the first FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

After 20 matches, total attendance has reached 1,309,652 spectators, with an average crowd of 65,483 per game. FIFA said the tournament is on course to surpass the World Cup’s all-time attendance record of 3.5 million fans, established during the 1994 finals in the United States, before the group stage concludes.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed both the attendance milestone and the atmosphere created by supporters across the three host nations.

“Wow! 281,223 fans in FIFA World Cup stadiums today — the highest-attended day in the history of the competition,” Infantino said.

“16 June 2026 will go down in FIFA World Cup history. I cannot thank our fans enough for bringing colour, atmosphere and emotions to this tournament. The most inclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to show just how much our game is loved and how Football Unites The World.”

The attendance record provides further evidence of the growing popularity of the expanded 48-team competition, being staged across 16 cities in North America.

Despite the huge crowds, FIFA said demand for tickets remains strong and encouraged supporters to continue checking its official ticketing platform for availability.

The governing body also reiterated that, as a not-for-profit organisation, revenues generated by the World Cup are reinvested into the development of men’s, women’s and youth football across its 211 member associations worldwide.

With several marquee fixtures still to come and fan interest continuing to surge, tournament organisers are increasingly confident that the 2026 edition will become the most-attended FIFA World Cup in history.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

As Mexico dreams of lifting the FIFA World Cup on home soil, thousands of fans are seeking help from an unlikely source — a figurine of baby Jesus dressed in the green, white and red colours of the national football team.

According to Reuters, worshippers have been flocking to Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral to pray before a figure of the infant Jesus wearing a Mexico football kit, hoping divine intervention might help “El Tri” achieve World Cup glory.

The display has become one of the most intriguing human-interest stories of the tournament, blending football passion with a uniquely Mexican religious tradition that stretches back generations.

In Mexico, figures of the baby Jesus are often dressed in costumes reflecting the hopes and needs of the faithful. Some are clothed as pilgrims to protect travellers, while others wear doctors’ attire as prayers for healing and good health. During this World Cup, however, football has taken centre stage.

The tradition of dressing the baby Jesus in Mexico’s national team colours dates back to the 1970 World Cup, the first tournament hosted by Mexico. For more than five decades, the custom was associated with the San Miguel Arcangel church in a working-class district of the capital.

This year, however, the tradition found a new and more prominent home after the parish priest at San Miguel Arcangel reportedly prohibited the practice, considering it disrespectful. The move sparked anger among supporters, with some fearing the disappearance of the beloved ritual might somehow affect Mexico’s fortunes on the pitch.

Responding to public sentiment, Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral stepped in.

“It’s the first time it’s been here in the cathedral … the people themselves asked for it,” Canon Manuel Corral told Reuters.

Far from attracting only Mexican supporters, the figure has become a gathering point for football pilgrims from across the globe. On Tuesday, visitors from Argentina, Colombia, Spain and other nations stopped to take photographs, offer prayers or simply admire the unusual symbol of World Cup faith.

Corral told Reuters that Colombians were among those visiting the cathedral ahead of their team’s match against Uzbekistan at the Azteca Stadium.

The figure will remain on display throughout the tournament regardless of Mexico’s results, with different versions of the national team’s kit expected to be used. On Tuesday, the baby Jesus wore a white jersey and green shorts similar to the outfit Mexico are expected to use against South Korea in Guadalajara.

For many visitors, the sight is both comforting and inspiring, reflecting the deep connection between religion and daily life in Mexico. Yet not everyone is convinced.

Eleazar Martinez, a Mexican fan who visited the cathedral, admitted he felt uneasy about the display.

“As a Catholic, it’s very strange for me to see the baby Jesus dressed like that. I don’t really agree with it,” he told Reuters.

Still, whether viewed as an expression of faith, folklore or football superstition, the Soccer Baby Jesus has become a symbol of the hopes of millions of fans as the World Cup unfolds across North America.

And in a country where football and faith often share the same emotional space, many supporters are convinced that every prayer counts.

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