Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal drought at major tournaments stretched to 10 consecutive matches on Wednesday as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture. Despite the 41-year-old failing to register a shot on target, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez strongly defended his captain and insisted removing the team’s all-time leading scorer was never an option.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes at Houston Stadium but failed to register a shot on target. The result extended his goal drought to five consecutive World Cup matches and 10 straight appearances across the World Cup and European Championship.
Despite growing scrutiny over the 41-year-old’s performances at major tournaments, Martinez insisted that substituting Portugal’s all-time leading scorer was never under consideration while the team searched for a winning goal.
“It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” Martinez said after the match.
Ronaldo attempted three shots against DR Congo, but none troubled goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. It marked the sixth World Cup match in which the Portugal captain failed to record a shot on target.
However, Martinez pointed to Ronaldo’s remarkable international record. The Al Nassr striker has scored 143 goals for Portugal and remains the highest-scoring men’s international player in football history.
The match also saw Ronaldo achieve another milestone. He became only the second male player to appear at six FIFA World Cups, joining Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who reached the same landmark a day earlier.
Ronaldo entered the tournament aiming to become the first player to score in six separate World Cups. Messi remains in contention for the same record after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening game.
Early Lead Slips Away
Portugal appeared in control after João Neves scored in the sixth minute. However, Martinez said the early goal unexpectedly changed his team’s approach.
“We started very, very well,” Martinez said.
“Scoring the goal, which is normally a moment when the emotion of scoring helps you keep control of the match and try to score a second goal, had the opposite effect.”
According to Martinez, Portugal became overly focused on possession instead of attacking spaces behind DR Congo’s defensive line.
As a result, the African side gradually settled into the contest and began creating opportunities through quick transitions.
Portugal managed only six further attempts after Neves’ opener and finished the match with just one shot on target. DR Congo equalised before halftime through Yoane Wissa and successfully defended the scoreline during the second half.
The draw earned DR Congo their first World Cup point since returning to the tournament after a 52-year absence.
Martinez Urges Improvement Ahead of Uzbekistan Clash
Despite the disappointing result, Martinez dismissed suggestions that Portugal’s World Cup campaign had suffered a major setback.
“What we’re talking about here is the first match of a World Cup,” he said.
“We stopped taking risks, we stopped looking for space, we stopped reaching the final third.”
The Spanish coach compared Portugal’s situation to previous tournaments where eventual champions endured difficult starts. He referenced Argentina’s defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and Spain’s loss to Switzerland in 2010 before both nations went on to lift the World Cup trophy.
Portugal now turn their attention to a crucial Group K encounter against Uzbekistan next Tuesday in Houston. They will conclude the group stage against Colombia.
For Ronaldo, the match presents another opportunity to end a scoring drought that has become one of the most closely watched storylines of the tournament.
