Portugal 1-1 Congo DR: Cristiano Ronaldo fails to answer Lionel Messi as Roberto Martinez's men stumble in World Cup opener

Sixteen hours aft Lionel Messi produced a masterclass with a hat-trick against Algeria, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal retired against Congo DR successful their opening 2026 World Cup Group K fixture, with the spotlight firmly connected the 41-year-old to reply his long-time rival's connection performance.

However, Ronaldo was incapable to animate Roberto Martinez's broadside successful onslaught arsenic they were held to a 1-1 gully by the Leopards, a disappointing effect for a federation wide tipped among the favourites to assistance the trophy.

Portugal 1-1 Congo DR: How the crippled unfolded

Facing a broadside sitting 41 places beneath them successful the latest FIFA standings, fifth-ranked Portugal instantly showed their superior quality, with Selecao das Quinas taking the pb done a Joao Neves header successful the sixth minute.

Things unravelled for Martinez's men connected the changeable of half-time, though, arsenic Yoane Wissa roseate highest to conscionable Arthur Masuaku's transverse and level the people with virtually the last enactment of the opening period.

Despite dominating possession, Portugal struggled to interruption down a disciplined Congolese defence, with the Europeans failing to marque meaningful usage of their 75% stock of the shot and 769 completed passes – much than 3 times their opponents' total.

Although Ronaldo and institution avoided defeat, determination was small to abstracted the 2 sides successful the last third, with Portugal registering lone 3 shots connected target.

Portugal 1-1 Congo DR: Cristiano Ronaldo's show successful 2026 World Cup Group K opener

There has been increasing statement implicit Ronaldo's quality to spearhead Portugal's attack, with galore questioning whether the 41-year-old tin inactive header with the demands of football's biggest stage.

Wednesday's opener offered small to soundlessness those doubts, with the five-time Ballon d'Or victor enduring different frustrating outing contempt playing the afloat 90 minutes.

Ronaldo failed to people oregon trial the goalkeeper contempt attempting 3 shots, finishing with an xG of 0.04, portion completing 19 of his 21 passes and signaling an expected assistance fig of 0.05.

The Portuguese skipper has present gone 5 World Cup appearances without uncovering the net, with his past extremity successful the contention coming against Ghana successful Portugal's opening lucifer of the 2022 edition.

Ronaldo remains connected 8 World Cup goals from 23 appearances, leaving him 8 down Messi, who shares the all-time tourney scoring grounds with Miroslav Klose.

Portugal 1-1 Congo DR: Where does the effect permission Cristiano Ronaldo and co?

In a radical that besides features Colombia and Uzbekistan, Portugal were widely expected to apical the standings, but their gully with DR Congo has raised caller questions astir their credentials arsenic genuine rubric contenders.

Level connected 1 constituent with the Congolese, Martinez's men could gaffe further down the array depending connected the result of the different Group K fixture, though the European giants volition person an contiguous accidental to enactment things close connected matchday two.

Portugal look Uzbekistan successful their 2nd crippled of the tournament, and triumph successful that contention would importantly fortify their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds portion besides reinforcing their presumption arsenic 1 of the starring contenders successful their quest for a archetypal World Cup crown.