Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo seems dejected after the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group Ok match towards DR Congo, Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, US, June 17, 2026. — Reuters
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez dismissed questions on Cristiano Ronaldo’s position after a irritating World Cup opener, defending his determination to maintain the captain on for the complete 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ronaldo went with out a shot on the right track in Houston, extending his scoreless streak to 5 straight World Cup matches and 10 consecutive video games at main tournaments. The 41-year-old ahead hasn’t scored a non-penalty objective at a World Cup or European Championship since June 2021, however Martinez mentioned eradicating him was by no means a severe consideration whereas Portugal chased a winner.
“It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” Martinez mentioned.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time main scorer with 143 worldwide objectives, turned solely the second participant to look in six World Cups, following Lionel Messi. However in contrast to Messi, who scored a hat trick Tuesday, Ronaldo’s bid to change into the primary participant to attain in six totally different World Cups should wait.
Portugal began robust, with Joao Neves scoring within the sixth minute, however the early benefit did not result in sustained stress. Martinez mentioned the objective had the other impact, with Portugal changing into too cautious in possession and permitting DR Congo to reset defensively.
“We started very, very well,” Martinez mentioned. “Scoring the goal — which is normally a moment when the emotion of scoring helps you keep control of the match and try to score a second goal — had the opposite effect.”
Portugal continues Group Ok play on Tuesday towards Uzbekistan in Houston.
