Cristiano Ronaldo has responded after Portugal’s frustrating start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, telling fans and teammates that the campaign is “far from over” following a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. The Portugal captain shared a message on X shortly after the match, admitting the result was not what the team wanted while urging everyone to stay focused on the games ahead. His post came after a difficult night in Houston, where Portugal controlled much of the ball but could not turn their dominance into a winning result.
Portugal’s bright start fades against disciplined DR Congo
Portugal entered their Group K opener as heavy favorites and made a bright start when João Neves found the net in the sixth minute. The early goal looked set to put Roberto Martínez’s side on course for victory, but DR Congo stayed organized and refused to panic.
Portugal enjoyed around 65 percent possession and spent long periods attacking, yet clear chances were hard to come by against a disciplined DR Congo defense. Chancel Mbemba was among the standout performers as the African side held its shape and limited Portugal’s attacking threat.
Just before halftime, Yoane Wissa scored in stoppage time to level the match. The goal was a historic moment for DR Congo, marking the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal and first World Cup point. Despite Portugal’s pressure in the second half, the score remained unchanged.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes as captain but endured a quiet evening. The veteran forward struggled to make a major impact in front of goal as Portugal failed to find a winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo ignores criticism and looks ahead to next World Cup game
After the final whistle, Ronaldo addressed the result with a short but direct post on X. Writing in Portuguese, he said: “Não era o arranque que queríamos, mas isto está longe de ter acabado. Cabeça levantada e foco no próximo jogo.”
In English, the message translates to: “It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Heads up and focus on the next game.” The post was accompanied by an action photo of Ronaldo wearing the Portugal shirt.
The draw triggered strong reactions online, with some critics questioning Ronaldo’s performance and role in the team. Others defended the 41-year-old, pointing to Portugal’s overall struggles in front of goal and the quality of DR Congo’s defensive display.
Rather than responding to the criticism, Ronaldo chose to keep the focus on the tournament itself. With group matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia still to come, Portugal remains firmly in the race to advance, and the captain’s message made it clear that the team is already looking ahead.
