Portugal Must Look Beyond Ronaldo as World Cup Ambitions Stall Against DR Congo

The day after Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe lit up the World Cup with commanding performances, Portugal served up something considerably less appetising: a laboured 1-1 stalemate against DR Congo that left far more questions than answers.

Cristiano Ronaldo's contribution? A masterclass in the art of doing very little indeed. With just 25 touches across the entire match—fewer than teammate Bernardo Silva managed before being hauled off at the interval—the 41-year-old cut a peripheral figure. When chances did arrive, his shots drifted harmlessly wide. The narrative from the punditry box about occupying defenders and elite positioning felt increasingly like an exercise in generous interpretation.

Portugal's performance was symptomatic of complacency. Joao Neves' early aerial header gave them the lead, yet they promptly switched off. DR Congo, a team that scraped into the tournament via the inter-confederation play-offs, refused to roll over. Yoane Wissa's header from a corner on the stroke of half-time—a goal born from alarmingly sloppy defending—proved thoroughly deserved.

The second half saw Roberto Martinez shuffle his pack, sacrificing Vitinha's craft for Goncalo Ramos' directness. It made little difference. Portugal never regained control, and at times looked vulnerable to conceding a second, with their supposedly inferior opponents appearing equally capable of snatching a late winner.

Here lies the uncomfortable reckoning: Ronaldo, once football's supreme force, has become an anchor rather than an engine. While Messi remains Argentina's driving force and continues to elevate those around him, Ronaldo's presence now seems to diminish rather than enhance his teammates. The gap between their current versions isn't merely noticeable—it's cavernous.

Portugal possess the talent to win this tournament. Their squad is arguably stronger than Argentina's on paper. Yet with Ronaldo hogging possession and creative opportunities, Bruno Fernandes—a player who has demonstrated what he can achieve when entrusted as the main protagonist—remains consigned to a supporting role. That's a luxury they can no longer afford.

The tournament offers second chances, and Portugal aren't finished. But they must confront an awkward truth: their best path forward no longer runs through their greatest ever player. At 41, Ronaldo is a pale shadow of his former self, and clinging to sentiment may cost them dearly.