Ronaldo flops as Mbappé, Messi, Haaland steal spotlight in Portugal’s opener

Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup 2026 curtain-raiser ended in frustration as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in a match where the 41-year-old superstar failed to make an impact. Portugal took the lead inside six minutes through Joao Neves, but DR Congo equalised before halftime, leaving Ronaldo—starting his fifth World Cup—largely anonymous. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward, the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, was repeatedly criticised for selfish decision-making in front of goal and for failing to influence the game.

The result exposed deeper questions about Ronaldo’s role in Roberto Martinez’s squad and the manager’s decision to keep him on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Pundits questioned whether Martinez feared the veteran’s reaction to a substitution, with social media erupting over the perceived lack of urgency to remove him as Portugal’s creativity stalled. Thierry Henry, Chris Sutton, and Wayne Rooney were among those quick to highlight the contrast between Ronaldo’s muted display and the headline-grabbing performances of Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi elsewhere in the tournament.

Mbappé’s record-breaking hat-trick and Haaland’s brace in their respective opening fixtures underscored the generational shift Ronaldo is now competing against. The pattern of Ronaldo’s World Cup performances—where his presence often overshadows tactical decisions—mirrors Portugal’s struggles in recent major tournaments. Despite his unmatched goal-scoring record for the national team, his influence in big games has waned, with this draw adding to a growing body of evidence that his ability to dictate play in elite competitions is diminishing.

His struggles against DR Congo, a team ranked 60th in FIFA’s latest rankings, raise serious questions about his effectiveness in high-pressure environments where mobility and pressing intensity are critical. Portugal’s lack of attacking cohesion beyond Ronaldo’s isolated attempts further highlighted the squad’s over-reliance on individual brilliance. While Neves’ early strike showed promise, the midfield’s inability to transition defense into attack exposed vulnerabilities that DR Congo exploited.

The draw exposed a tactical rigidity that contrasts sharply with the fluid, dynamic systems deployed by teams like Mbappé’s France or Haaland’s Norway, where positional interchangeability and pressing triggers define modern attacking football. The contrast between Ronaldo’s performance and the rest of the tournament’s standout players is stark. Mbappé’s hat-trick against Chile included a 90th-minute winner, a display of composure and athleticism that underscored his status as the heir to Ronaldo and Messi’s throne.

Haaland’s brace for Norway came in a 4-1 demolition of Saudi Arabia, his movement and finishing a masterclass in exploiting space. Messi, meanwhile, orchestrated Argentina’s 3-0 win over Nigeria with three assists, proving that even at 37, his vision and execution remain elite. This opening weekend has also revealed the tactical evolution of World Cup 2026.

Teams like France and Norway are prioritising high-intensity pressing and positional fluidity, while Portugal’s reliance on Ronaldo’s individual quality leaves them exposed in transitions. The draw against DR Congo suggests that Martinez’s system lacks the adaptability to counter modern defensive structures, a flaw that could prove fatal in the knockout stages. What’s next: Portugal face a must-win clash with France on Matchday 2, a game that could define their World Cup 2026 trajectory.

Martinez’s selection choices and Ronaldo’s fitness for the rigors of a 90-minute shift will be under the microscope as pressure mounts to justify his inclusion in the starting XI. Read at NewsAPI.org