Portugal coach Roberto Martinez dismissed questions about Cristiano Ronaldo’s role after a frustrating World ​Cup opener, defending his decision to keep the captain ‌on for the full 90 minutes ​in Wednesday’s (June 18, 2026) 1-1 draw with ⁠the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ronaldo went without a shot on target in Houston, extending his scoreless streak ‌to five straight World Cup matches and 10 consecutive games at major tournaments. ‌The 41-year-old forward hasn’t scored a ‌non-penalty ⁠goal at a World Cup or ⁠European Championship since June 2021, but Martinez said removing him was never a serious consideration while Portugal chased ​a winner.

“It makes no ‌sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” Martinez said.

Ronaldo, Portugal’s ‌all-time leading scorer with 143 international ​goals, became only the second player to appear in six World Cups, ⁠following Lionel Messi. But unlike Messi, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday, Ronaldo’s bid to become ‌the first player to score in six different World Cups will have to wait.

Portugal started strong, with Joao Neves scoring in the sixth minute, but the early advantage didn’t lead to sustained pressure. Martinez said the ‌goal had the opposite effect, with Portugal becoming too ​cautious in possession and allowing DR Congo to reset defensively.

“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.”

Portugal continues ​Group K play on Tuesday against Uzbekistan in Houston.

Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo ​were left frustrated after being ‌held to a 1-1 draw ​by Group K ⁠rivals Democratic Republic of Congo in their FIFA World Cup clash in ‌a sodden Houston on Wednesday.

Portugal vs DR Congo highlights

Portugal took the lead ‌inside six minutes when ‌Pedro ⁠Neto crossed for Joao ⁠Neves to head home from 15 metres as one of the ​pre-tournament favourites ‌made the perfect start, though it would be their only effort on target in ‌the game.

DR Congo, appearing at ​their first World Cup since 1974, grew ⁠into the game and were level deep into added time ‌at the end of the first half when Yoane Wissa was left unmarked from a corner to head in at the back ‌post.

Cedric Bakambu struck the post for ​the Congolese in the second period, while Ronaldo ⁠twice fired wide from close ⁠range as he appeared at a sixth World ‌Cup, a record he shares with Argentina’s Lionel Messi.