Sub Cristiano Ronaldo when I need goals? Portugal coach complains about doubters

Portugal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup opener in Houston on Wednesday 17 June, a result that overshadowed Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic appearance in a record sixth World Cup. The stalemate left Portugal with the first questions to be answered in Group K as a lack of attacking edge prevented them from picking up the three points.

The draw also reignited the debate Ronaldo’s role in the lineup after another quiet exit in front of goal, Increasing scrutiny of Portugal’s reliance on their 41-year-old captain. Although the team remains well placed in the group, his performance has raised concerns about his ability to convert dominance into goals.

The result came in a game where Portugal started brightly, scoring inside six minutes through Joao Neves, but failed to maintain control as DR Congo grew into the game. Roberto Martinez’s side seemed to lose their intensity after the opening game, allowing the opposition to equalize and eventually find an equalizer to shift the momentum.

Questions were raised as the pressure mounted late in the match whether Portugal should have adjusted their attack earlier. However, head coach Roberto Martnez strongly defended his tactical decisions and his continued faith in Ronaldo despite the lack of clear-cut chances created in the second half.

“It doesn’t make sense to get the best scorer in world football in a game where you need goals,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. Ronaldo reacts after failing to score against DR Congo (Photo Reuters)

CRISTIANO RONALDO BURDEN FOR PORTUGAL?

Martinez insisted that Ronaldo’s removal was never seriously considered, even as Portugal pushed for the winner in the closing stages. His comments reflected a broader belief that experience and leadership remain essential in tight tournament matches, especially when margins are thin and chances are limited.

“We started very, very well. Scoring the goal – which is usually the moment when the emotion of scoring a goal helps you keep control of the game and try to score the second goal – it had the opposite effect,” Martinez said.

He added that Portugal’s early goal may have inadvertently disrupted their rhythm as the team became more cautious in possession and less aggressive in their pressing structure as DR Congo reorganized their defense and slowed the pace of the match.

Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 143 international goalshe also achieved another milestone by becoming only the second player in history to appear in six World Cups. However, his performance in Houston was muted, with no shots on goal and an ongoing drought in knockout form in the majors that stretches into 2021.

The veteran’s continued struggles in front of goal have become a topic of discussion, especially given the depth of Portugal’s attack and expectations heading into the tournament. While his movement and presence continue to attract defenders, the lack of end product has led to growing debate over whether tactical adjustments will be needed in the coming matches.

As Portugal prepare to face Uzbekistan in their next Group K match, attention will continue to be on how Martinez balances experience with attacking efficiency. The team remains in a strong position to qualify, but questions about rhythm, creativity and finishing are likely to remain if their front line does not produce a sharper response in the coming games.

Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news

– The end

Published on:

18 Jun 2026 11:32 IST