Ronaldo misfires as Portugal held to 1-1 draw by DR Congo in World Cup opener
Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth World Cup began with two wide misses and a 1-1 draw against a resilient DR Congo side, while Lionel Messi's hat-trick the day before highlighted the contrasting starts for the two icons.
Early lead and Congo's response
Portugal needed only six minutes to open the scoring at NRG Stadium, where 68,777 spectators watched João Neves head home a cross from Pedro Neto. The pre-tournament favourite controlled 75 percent of possession, but the Congolese grew into the contest and levelled deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa was left unmarked from an Arthur Masuaku corner and headed in at the back post. It was DR Congo's first goal at a World Cup, the country having been shut out in all three matches at its only previous appearance (as Zaire in 1974).
- 6' – João Neves heads Portugal 1-0 ahead
- 45+3' – Yoane Wissa equalises for DR Congo
- 55' – João Cancelo bicycle kick disallowed for offside
- 68' – Ronaldo fires wide from inside the area
- 73' – Ronaldo wastes another close-range chance
- 90' – Bruno Fernandes drags a late effort wide
Ronaldo's record night goes awry
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match (surpassing Canada's Atiba Hutchinson) and joined Argentina's Lionel Messi as the only men to appear in six tournaments. He had the fewest touches of any Portugal outfielder who played more than 45 minutes (25) and missed two chances to win the game, firing wide from close range in the 68th and 73rd minutes. Bruno Fernandes, who lined up behind Ronaldo on the first of those opportunities, showed prolonged frustration and later saw his own 90th-minute effort drift wide.
Martinez defends star forward
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez dismissed any suggestion he considered substituting his captain, pointing instead to a lack of service into the six-yard box.
Martinez, whose contract expires after the tournament, said Ronaldo's experience and ability to attract defenders remained vital, adding that the team must “utilise all the players” to feed the striker.It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals.
A tournament of contrasts
Ronaldo's frustrating evening came barely 16 hours after Messi scored a hat-trick to fire Argentina to an opening victory. The comparison, drawn across international media, underscored the differing form of the two veterans. Portugal, still reeling from the death of former forward Diogo Jota in a car crash last summer, played with Jota in their thoughts; his parents attended the match in a luxury suite.
He was a great teammate, very down to earth, very passionate about what he could do for our country and football as a whole. For us, he is still part of our group.
Other flashpoints and a broadcast blunder
João Cancelo had a 55th-minute bicycle kick ruled out for offside, and Cédric Bakambu struck the near post for the Congolese shortly afterward. Germany's ZDF compounded a chaotic evening when it displayed Morocco's flag instead of DR Congo's in the score graphic for the first 11 minutes. Portugal next face Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday, then Colombia in Miami on June 27.
