Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez dismissed mounting questions about Cristiano Ronaldo’s role following a frustrating opening match at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Martinez defended his tactical decision to keep the team captain on the pitch for the full 90 minutes during Wednesday’s unexpected 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the NRG Stadium in Houston.
Why Did Roberto Martinez Keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the Pitch for 90 Minutes?
The decision to keep the 41-year-old forward on the field for the entire duration of the match raised questions among fans and media, especially after Ronaldo failed to record a single shot on target. However, Martinez remained steadfast in his tactical approach, explaining that the captain’s presence is essential when the team requires a critical breakthrough. The manager explained that replacing the most prolific goalscorer in men’s international football history was never an option while chasing three points.
“It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” Martinez stated post-match.
“His experience inside the penalty area is very important, and his ability to attract defenders creates spaces and opportunities for his teammates.”
Behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Current Major Tournament Scoring Drought
The opening fixture in Texas extended an unusual statistical slump for the Portuguese captain. Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive matches without scoring a goal across major international tournaments, a stretch that includes his appearances at Euro 2024 and the current World Cup campaign. Furthermore, the Al Nassr forward has not scored a non-penalty goal at a World Cup or European Championship since June 2021.
Against the DR Congo backline, Ronaldo was heavily contained, registering only 25 total touches—one of the lowest involvement rates of his international career. His bid to become the first player to score in six different World Cup editions will have to wait, and it goes opposite with Lionel Messi, who opened his tournament with a spectacular hat-trick the previous day.
Cristiano Ronaldo Goalless Match Streak:
- 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩: vs. Uruguay vs. South Korea vs. Switzerland vs. Morocco
- 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐬: vs. Czechia vs. Turkiye vs. Georgia vs. Slovenia vs. France
- 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩: vs. Congo DR
Portugal vs DR Congo FIFA World Cup 2026
Portugal started the Group K fixture and opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves timed his run perfectly to power home a fine downward header from a Pedro Neto cross. At 21 years and 263 days old, Neves became the third-youngest goalscorer in Portuguese World Cup history, trailing only Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos.
However, the early breakthrough led to tactical caution rather than sustained attacking pressure, allowing DR Congo to comfortably reset their low block. The African side capitalized in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa headed home an Arthur Masuaku cross to score his nation’s first-ever World Cup goal. Portugal controlled possession in the second half and had an acrobatic Joao Cancelo effort disallowed for offside, but they ultimately failed to break the deadlock.
“We started very, very well,” Martinez said. “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 will look to rebound on Tuesday when they face Uzbekistan in Houston.
