Portugal vs DR Congo: Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo, a shocker in the tournament’s opening rounds, was the scene of Cristiano Ronaldo’s disappointment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The quality of Portugal’s team was such that many thought they would win, but Congo, a very spirited team, succeeded in creating problems for Portugal all through the match. Portugal’s attacking troubles were underlined that they managed only seven shots on target. On the biggest stage of sport, Ronaldo failed to score and make the game-changing contribution that the audience expected of him.
Criticism poured in about his performance, and the hope is that after the two more group-stage games, the Portuguese team will be able to make changes, but at the same time, it is also the whole squad plus the coaching staff’s consideration if it is wise to keep him as their leading player yet again.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Thierry Henry blasts Cristiano Ronaldo for poor performance against DR Congo
Thierry Henry was COOKING Cristiano Ronaldo for his performance against Congo:
“The team needs to score, not YOU need to score…”” 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/jQbwXdjSjC
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) June 17, 2026
France legend Thierry Henry was not happy with the way Ronaldo operated in the last third and he criticized what he saw as the Portuguese captain’s infatuation with scoring. Henry mentioned a specific moment in the match as a demonstration of how Ronaldo’s desire to score might have been detrimental to the team’s opportunities, which means that Ronaldo’s choice of actions sometimes disrupted Portugal’s attacking flow.
While talking on Fox Sports, Henry said, “One thing that’s important, people, please at home: the team needs to score, not you need to score.”
FIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo denies Bruno Fernandes from scoring
Henry went on with his review and argued that it was Ronaldo’s positioning that meant Fernandes did not get a free shot. The Frenchman held that although Ronaldo’s decision offered the defenders an easier way of coping with the threat, an unselfish run into the six-yard box would have lured them out and opened up the space.
Henry, while suggesting that Ronaldo was selfish, talked about hos how his desire to score goals prevented Portugal from winning the clash. The former Aresenal legend said, “But because he wants to score, he goes into the path of Bruno Fernandes. If he goes into that six-yard box, you’ve been in that situation, I’ll see – you would have had to follow him, follow him, and then he would have been a tap-in for Bruno Fernandes. But because he wants to score, he goes into the path of the back pass. You see both players, and it’s easier for you to defend.”
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Ghana Break Panama Hearts With Stoppage-Time Winner From Caleb Yirenkyi
