Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Criticism as Portugal Held by DR Congo in World Cup Opener

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2026 — Cristiano Ronaldo has become the centre of debate after Portugal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening Group K match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Portugal started brightly and took the lead in the sixth minute through Joao Neves, who finished after good work from Pedro Neto. The early goal looked set to give Roberto Martinez’s side control of the match, but Portugal failed to build on their advantage.

Despite dominating possession, Portugal struggled to create clear chances and appeared too predictable in attack. DR Congo stayed compact, defended with discipline and punished Portugal before halftime when Yoane Wissa scored the equaliser.

The result was historic for DR Congo, who returned to the World Cup after more than five decades and earned a valuable point against one of Europe’s strongest teams.

For Portugal, however, the draw has triggered fresh discussion over Ronaldo’s role in the team. At 41, the veteran forward became the oldest player to start a World Cup match and made his record sixth appearance at the tournament.

Although Ronaldo remains one of the greatest goalscorers in football history, his display against DR Congo raised questions about whether Portugal are still too dependent on him in major tournaments.

Ronaldo was closely marked throughout the match and was unable to make a decisive impact. Reports also noted that he missed key chances as Portugal searched for a winning goal.

The criticism is not only about Ronaldo’s individual performance, but also about Portugal’s overall tactical structure. With creative players such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto and Joao Neves in the squad, many observers believe Portugal have enough quality to play with more fluidity and intensity.

However, against DR Congo, Portugal’s attack often looked slow and easy to read. Their reliance on crosses and central service toward Ronaldo allowed DR Congo to defend in numbers and limit dangerous opportunities.

Martinez later defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch, insisting that Portugal needed a proven goalscorer when chasing a winner. Still, the decision has divided fans and analysts.

The draw now puts pressure on Portugal ahead of their next Group K fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia. While Portugal remain in a strong position to qualify, the performance suggests that tactical improvements are needed quickly.

For Ronaldo, the tournament carries major significance as it could be his final chance to win the World Cup with Portugal. But if the team continues to struggle, the debate over his place in the starting line-up is likely to grow louder.

Portugal still have enough talent to recover from the setback, but their opening match has exposed a major question: should the team continue building around Ronaldo, or is it time for a more flexible attacking approach?