Roberto Martinez insists Cristiano Ronaldo remains indispensable to Portugal despite a largely anonymous performance in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Houston on 17 June, a result that raised immediate questions about the 41-year-old’s ability to lead his country’s World Cup campaign.
Ronaldo had the fewest touches of any Portugal player who featured for more than 45 minutes, recording just 25 across the full 90, and squandered two second-half chances that could have won the match. The first, in the 69th minute, crept past the right post after he controlled a pass inside the box. The second, in the 74th minute, was blocked by the Congolese defence. The frustration of Bruno Fernandes, who had set up the first opportunity, was visible and prolonged.
When asked after the match whether he had considered substituting Ronaldo, Martinez was unequivocal. “It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” he said. “For us in moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important, the way that we can use the space is important. And clearly when you look for goals, you need to have Cristiano.”
Martinez was more circumspect when asked directly about the performance, deflecting responsibility onto the team’s inability to supply their captain. “We have to utilise all the players on the pitch. The lead attacker needs to be close to the six-yard box and we need to get the ball to him,” he said.
The debate over Ronaldo’s role at this World Cup is not new, but the DR Congo draw has sharpened it considerably. His record of 143 goals in 229 international appearances remains the highest in men’s football history, and his status as joint holder of the record for most World Cup appearances, alongside Lionel Messi, is beyond question. But Portugal are not short of attacking options, and Ronaldo’s display on Wednesday offered little to those who feel the forward is no longer the player to build a World Cup campaign around.
Portugal managed only one shot on target across the entire match, that being Joao Neves’ sixth-minute header from Pedro Neto’s lofted pass. The Selecao controlled possession and created openings, but their clinical edge was absent. A VAR review disallowed a Joao Cancelo goal for offside in the 55th minute, and Bruno Fernandes was denied a late winner when his effort from the edge of the box sailed just wide in the 91st minute.
Martinez made changes in the second half, introducing Francisco Conceicao for Bernardo Silva at the break and bringing on Rafael Leao and Nelson Semedo in the 72nd minute. After the match, the coach pointed to those substitutes as evidence of the squad depth available to him and warned that no starting place is guaranteed going forward. “We are not limited to a fixed starting lineup, but to all 26 players,” he said. “Today we approach the match with a very high level of self-criticism. And we need to develop during this tournament.”
DR Congo, appearing at their first World Cup since 1974, defended with discipline and belief throughout, and Yoane Wissa’s stoppage-time header before the break was no less than their performance deserved.
Portugal face Uzbekistan in Houston next before a final Group K fixture against Colombia in Miami on 28 June. With Colombia and Uzbekistan both in action on Wednesday evening, Portugal could find themselves behind in the group standings before their next match kicks off.
