10 game goal drought! Cristiano Ronaldo endures a horror show vs Congo with just 25 touches and no shots on target

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo) Is age finally catching up with Cristiano Ronaldo?The question is getting louder after the 41-year-old endured another frustrating night in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener, managing just 25 touches and failing to register a single shot on target in a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo.Ronaldo attempted just three shots, had just five touches inside the opposition penalty area and won just one duel over the course of 90 minutes. It was also the second fewest tackles he had made in a World Cup start and highlighted how effectively the Congolese defense neutralized the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The stunning display heightened fears of the veteran striker’s waning influence on the biggest stages.More worryingly for Portugal, Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive matches without scoring at major tournaments — the FIFA World Cup and the European Championship combined.Despite this barren run, the Portuguese icon had 33 shots, including 11 on target, but failed to find the net once.

Portugal lose momentum after bright start

Roberto Martinez’s men looked to have taken the lead in the sixth minute.Pedro Neto’s inviting cross was met by Joao Neves, who headed home his fourth international goal to give Portugal the lead.But after an early breakthrough, Portugal struggled to maintain their intensity. Their possession-heavy approach lacked penetration and DR Congo gradually grew into the contest.The African side deservedly equalized in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wiss sent Arthur Masuaku’s cross into the area.Portugal briefly thought they had regained the lead after Joao Cancelo’s breakthrough acrobatic finish, but VAR ruled it out for offside. DR Congo almost went ahead when Cedric Bakambu hit the post after curling past Bruno Fernandes.Late substitute Francisco Conceicao injected energy into Portugal’s attack and created opportunities for Ronaldo, but the experienced forward was unable to convert.

Despite the frustration, Ronaldo remains defiant

Despite the setback, Ronaldo struck a positive note after the match.Speaking to X, the Portugal captain wrote: “It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Keep your head up and focus on the next game.”Still, the numbers paint a disturbing picture of one of football’s greatest goalscorers.After becoming the first player to score at five World Cups, Ronaldo arrives at the 2026 tournament hoping to add another chapter to his extraordinary legacy.Instead, his opening performance against DR Congo only fueled questions about whether time was finally catching up with the man who spent two decades rewriting football history.With Portugal already under pressure after dropping points, Ronaldo and company will need a quick response if their World Cup dream is to stay on track.