[87825] A disappointing start for Portugal and Ronaldo: A draw against Congo in the 2026 World Cup

2026 World Cup: A historic milestone for Ronaldo and a lackluster start for Portugal

In their opening match in Group K of the 2026 World Cup, the Portuguese national team finished in a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to reports from the Football 360 channel, the Portuguese performance was characterized by "worrying weakness in creating opportunities," with Yoane Wissa scoring the first-ever historic goal for Congo in a World Cup tournament.

For 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, the match marked a significant milestone. According to a report by Iran International, Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start in a World Cup match, marking his 23rd appearance in the tournament across six different editions – an achievement that equals Lionel Messi. However, the superstar's performance was at the center of criticism; according to the 'Akharin Twiit' channel, Ronaldo has not scored in his last 11 appearances in World Cup and Euro tournaments.

While Messi opened the tournament with a hat-trick and young stars like Mbappe and Haaland impressed, Ronaldo looked "with a worried face" after the final whistle, as noted on Iran International. The Iranian media outlets reporting on the matches emphasize the disappointment with the Portuguese team, which, despite a glittering squad aimed at winning its first-ever title, failed against a theoretically inferior opponent considered the absolute underdog.

The result leaves Portugal under pressure heading into the rest of the group stage, while the debate regarding Ronaldo's fitness at his advanced age intensifies. While sports channels analyzing betting presented estimates of an easy Portuguese victory before the match, the reality on the pitch in Houston proved once again the unpredictability that characterizes the largest international tournament in the world.