Cristiano Ronaldo Misses Chances as Portugal Stumbles in Opener

HOUSTON - The National Team's journey in the 2026 World Cup began with a stark warning in Houston, Texas. A draw against DR Congo exposed the vulnerabilities of a squad that, despite overflowing with individual talent, displayed concerningly slow build-up play and tactical predictability, which ultimately played into the hands of the African side.

In a tournament of this magnitude, where mistakes are heavily penalized, Portugal learned the hard way that theoretical favoritism doesn't win games on the pitch. It left a bitter taste, but also the certainty that the World Cup is not a sprint; it's a marathon.

The surprise began with Roberto Martínez's starting XI. While critics and fans expected to see the pairing of Rúben Dias, unfortunately sidelined by injury, and Gonçalo Inácio anchoring the defense, Portugal arrived at the World Cup with Tomás Araújo and Renato Veiga in the central defensive roles.

This gamble showed signs of unease against the tremendous physical power of the Congolese forwards. Nevertheless, the start of the match seemed to promise a comfortable night for the national colors.

Just six minutes in, Portugal started strong and opened the scoring. Pedro Neto delivered a pinpoint assist, and João Neves, with an incredible header, sent thousands of Portuguese emigrants in the stands into raptures.

The familiar roar echoed through Texas, with the charismatic Zé do Bombo leading the Portuguese celebration. Congo's response was swift, demonstrating they weren't there just to defend. In the 11th minute, Yoane Wissa unleashed a dangerous shot that grazed Diogo Costa's right post, and at 16 minutes, Bakambu saw his powerful strike deflected for a corner by João Cancelo.

Portugal controlled possession, but lacked intensity. Bruno Fernandes attempted a long-range shot that went wide, all while the stands united in chants for Diogo Jota.

The controversial hydration break arrived, and with it, a dip in Portugal's rhythm. Instead of hydrating, the stoppage cooled the game, leaving it lukewarm and listless; only the crowd seemed active and animated, doing the wave, as if urging more sharpness from a team that had scored early but then settled.

Then came the punishment for their passivity. And it arrived in the worst possible way, right on the stroke of halftime: after a Moutoussamy shot was blocked by the defense, DR Congo earned two corners; the first was a warning; the second, a glaring error, as Yoane Wissa appeared completely unmarked, without any opposition in the heart of the box, to head the ball into the net. An incomprehensible marking lapse from the young central defensive pair resulted in a 1-1 scoreline just before the break.

Martínez made a change at halftime: he took off a very quiet Bernardo Silva and brought on Francisco Conceição. The energetic winger transformed the attack and became the team's spark plug.

Portugal tried… but couldn't quite manage it. In the 54th minute, Ronaldo released Nuno Mendes at pace, who crossed, only for Bruno Fernandes to see two defenders deny him a tap-in from close range.

The very next minute, Cancelo scored a monumental bicycle kick, but the goal was disallowed for offside. What a shame!

The game became a rollercoaster: in the 57th minute, Bakambu outmuscled Bruno and hit the post; at 61 minutes, Kapuadi shot slightly wide of Diogo Costa's goal.

Portugal inexplicably kept resorting to long, easy crosses into the Congolese defensive wall, who cleared everything in the air. It was futile.

Then, in the 68th minute, after a Conceição run, Ronaldo had a golden opportunity for 2-1, but, poorly positioned, he shot wide, leaving Bruno Fernandes in despair with his arms outstretched.

Martínez was not pleased with what he was seeing and made another double substitution in the 72nd minute: Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto made way for Nélson Semedo and Rafael Leão, with Cancelo shifting to the left flank. In the same minute, Ronaldo found himself through on goal but once again shot wide.

The crowd in the stands cheered on their captain, while the giant screen displayed the unexpected: 5 opportunities for Portugal versus… 8 for Congo.

Something different was needed, and Martínez gambled by bringing on Gonçalo Ramos for Vitinha in a desperate late push, but the Congolese defense shut down Portugal's attacking efforts.

DR Congo effectively defended their advantage, and Portugal stumbled due to their own lack of creativity in the final third. Between slow play and the risk of things going wrong against physically stronger teams, there's much to improve upon in their next fixture, on the 23rd, also in Houston, against Uzbekistan.