Cristiano Ronaldo held scoreless in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 2:52 AM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Portugal and Congo played to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener on June 17, 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo, competing in his sixth World Cup, did not score despite several attempts. The match saw other star players find the net earlier in the tournament, which further highlighted Ronaldo's struggles. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended Ronaldo, emphasizing his importance to the team. The game marked a historic moment as Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match.
- •Ronaldo did not score in a match where he had multiple chances.
- •Congo's Ngal’ayel Mukau discussed Ronaldo's reduced impact due to age.
- •Portugal's next matches are against Uzbekistan and Colombia.
- •Ronaldo set the record for the oldest outfield player at a World Cup.
- 11:43 AMYahoo Sports — Cristiano Ronaldo labelled ‘a hindrance’ in Portugal’s starting 11 after World Cup draw to Congo
- 2:52 AMYahoo Sports — When was the last time Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a World Cup amid disastrous start vs DR Congo
- 10:47 PMYahoo Sports — Portugal great Ronaldo fails to score in a surprising 1-1 draw against Congo at the World Cup
"Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a pretty forgettable performance in the first match of his sixth World Cup. After Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all scored in their opening matches, the 41-year-old Ronaldo couldn’t find the net Wednesday in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo. With players like Vinícius Júnior, Christian Pulisic, Viktor Gyökeres and Harry Kane also all scoring early in this year's World Cup, Ronaldo being held scoreless stands out even more.
"Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup return with Portugal began with frustration, more missed chances and another reminder that his scoring record on the biggest stage has gone quiet. Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their 2026 opener, a result that immediately raised pressure around Roberto Martinez’s attack.
"Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup began with history, but Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo quickly turned that milestone into a tactical debate. Ronaldo remains one of football’s all-time greats.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 11:43 AMCristiano Ronaldo labelled ‘a hindrance’ in Portugal’s starting 11 after World Cup draw to Congo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup began with history, but Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo quickly turned that milestone into a tactical debate. Ronaldo remains one of football’s all-time greats.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 2:52 AMWhen was the last time Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a World Cup amid disastrous start vs DR Congo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup return with Portugal began with frustration, more missed chances and another reminder that his scoring record on the biggest stage has gone quiet. Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their 2026 opener, a result that immediately raised pressure around Roberto Martinez’s attack.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:47 PMPortugal great Ronaldo fails to score in a surprising 1-1 draw against Congo at the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a pretty forgettable performance in the first match of his sixth World Cup. After Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all scored in their opening matches, the 41-year-old Ronaldo couldn’t find the net Wednesday in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo. With players like Vinícius Júnior, Christian Pulisic, Viktor Gyökeres and Harry Kane also all scoring early in this year's World Cup, Ronaldo being held scoreless stands out even more.
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