Martinez defends Ronaldo after Portugal's flat 1-1 draw with DR Congo in World Cup opener

Roberto Martinez refused to drop Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s World Cup group match against Uzbekistan and defended both his squad and his 41-year-old captain from criticism he described as “unfair and unjust”, following a laboured 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Houston.

João Neves put Portugal ahead inside six minutes, but Yoane Wissa equalised for Congo late in the first half, and Portugal’s dominance of possession produced little in the way of clear chances. Ronaldo, who managed just 25 touches and fired wide twice in the second half, was not substituted — a decision that drew widespread criticism of Martinez after the final whistle.

“We are playing a World Cup so of course we have a lot of noise and tension, but it’s part of the game,” Martinez said on Monday. “The focus is on the team and we want to show a positive attitude … to be ready for the match. We are very much focused. We are strong. The team is even more united than before.”

Without naming Ronaldo directly, Martinez was unequivocal in his defence of the player. “Cristiano is the best one to do that,” he said, referring to finishing opportunities in the final third. “The numbers support this of this iconic player. If you look at the past 32 games, he is the player that has extra movement opening spaces and finding pockets.”

Martinez declined to confirm whether Ronaldo would start against Uzbekistan, saying he had not yet informed his players of the team selection.

Ronaldo did not speak to reporters after the DR Congo match but addressed the result twice on social media. “It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over,” he wrote in his first post. A second, published on Sunday alongside training photographs, read: “Focused on the mission.”

The stakes for Ronaldo personally are considerable. He and Argentina’s Lionel Messi became the only men to appear in six World Cups this summer. Ronaldo now has a second opportunity to become the first player to score in six different tournaments — a record he currently shares with Messi, who has netted five goals across five World Cups and already has five in two matches at this year’s edition, bringing his all-time tournament tally to a record 18. Ronaldo failed to get on the scoresheet in the opener.

Portugal, considered one of the genuine contenders for the title, will need a sharper performance against Uzbekistan to settle nerves and maintain their momentum in the group.