What went wrong for Cristiano Ronaldo in his first World Cup 2026 match?
Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo played in Portugal’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. Despite his efforts, he struggled to make an impact due to strong defense and few touches of the ball, continuing a recent scoreless streak in major tournaments.Key Facts
- Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match at age 41.
- He has played in six World Cups, tying with Lionel Messi for the most appearances.
- Portugal dominated possession but failed to score more than once against DR Congo’s defense.
- Ronaldo had only 25 touches of the ball, fewer than any other Portugal starter in the game.
- He did not score, missing two good chances in the second half.
- Ronaldo has not scored in 10 major tournament games and last scored from open play at age 36 in Euro 2020.
- Portugal’s coach defended keeping Ronaldo on the field, citing his experience and importance in attack.
- Portugal’s next matches are against Uzbekistan and Colombia, where Ronaldo still has chances to score.
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