Martínez defends Ronaldo after Portugal are held by DR Congo in World Cup opener

Portugal were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo enduring a frustrating 90 minutes without a shot on target. Coach Roberto Martínez was quick to back his captain, insisting there was never any question of substituting him.

João Neves gave Portugal the lead in the sixth minute, heading in a cross from Pedro Neto. But DR Congo — appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years — equalised through Yoane Wissa, who headed home from an Arthur Masuaku cross in first-half stoppage time. It was the first World Cup goal in Congo’s history.

Ronaldo missed two chances in the 68th and 73rd minutes, both going wide right, and shook his head in visible frustration after each. When asked whether he considered withdrawing the 40-year-old, Martínez was unequivocal.

“It makes no sense to get the best world scorer to be out when you need goals,” the coach said. “The experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important.”

Martínez also acknowledged that Portugal were rattled by the equaliser. “The goal changed things,” he said. “We almost felt the fear of not losing the game.”

For DR Congo, the point was a historic achievement. Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 — the majority of whom were Portugal supporters — Congo earned their first World Cup point after losing all three of their matches at the 1974 tournament in West Germany, when the nation competed as Zaire.

“It’s crazy,” said Wissa, who plays his club football in the Premier League with Brentford. “Fifty-two years later we are here, we are back. It’s been long, it’s been difficult. So scoring that goal, it means a lot for all Congolese, for me, for my family, for the fans who showed up today.”

Congo coach Sébastien Desabre noted that many supporters had been unable to travel to the United States due to restrictions linked to Ebola. “There was not enough blue in the stands, but the players are tough and they know how to overcome challenges,” he said. “I’m sure that many Congolese people are proud of their team today.”

The draw also carried a personal milestone for Ronaldo, who became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, surpassing the record set by Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson at the 2022 tournament.