One of Portugal's defining characteristics over the past decade has been its ability to control football matches through possession. As the Seleção prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this strength could become a major factor if they face DR Congo.
Portugal regularly records possession statistics above 55% in international competition. In some qualification matches, the team has exceeded 60% possession while maintaining pass completion rates of over 85%. These numbers reflect a side that is comfortable on the ball and capable of dictating the rhythm of a match.
Against DR Congo, Portugal will likely attempt to establish control from the opening minutes. By retaining possession and moving the ball efficiently, the Seleção can reduce pressure on their defense while creating opportunities in attack.
The benefits of possession go beyond attacking football. Teams that dominate the ball often force opponents to spend long periods defending, leading to fatigue and mistakes later in matches. Portugal has successfully used this approach against many strong international opponents.
DR Congo possesses talented players who can be dangerous on the counterattack. However, Portugal's technical quality and tactical discipline could limit those opportunities if they maintain control of possession.
Another encouraging statistic for Portuguese supporters is the team's recent scoring record. Portugal has averaged more than two goals per game in several qualification campaigns, showing that possession often leads to meaningful attacking chances.
World Cup matches are often decided by small details. If Portugal can establish control of the ball and dictate the tempo, they could place themselves in an excellent position to secure a valuable victory and continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
Check out the Portugal vs DR Congo prediction !
