Cristiano Ronaldo falls flat for Portugal in World Cup opener but DR Congo make history
Portugal reached the next round of the World Cup by defeating Croatia 2-1. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout goal during the match. Portugal will now play Spain.
What changed
Portugal progressed from the round of 32 after a victory over Croatia.
Live updates
-
Portugal Advances to Face Spain After Croatia Win
confidence 100%Portugal reached the next round of the World Cup by defeating Croatia 2-1. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout goal during the match. Portugal will now play Spain.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout goal against Croatia.
- Portugal will face Spain in their next match.
- DR Congo earned a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match.
Still unconfirmed:
- Cristiano Ronaldo was described as a "horrible" problem for manager Roberto Martinez.
- Goncalo Ramos stole Ronaldo's thunder during the win over Croatia.
-
Ronaldo recovers from poor Congo opener with Uzbekistan brace
confidence 90%Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan after a disappointing start to the tournament. He became the first player to score in six different World Cups. Portugal previously drew 1-1 against DR Congo.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals against Uzbekistan.
- Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in their opening match.
- The 2026 men's World Cup features 104 games across Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Still unconfirmed:
- Joao Felix stated Ronaldo is the best player inside the box.
- Roberto Martinez acknowledged a feeling of frustration within the team after the DR Congo draw.
- Ronaldo is the first player to score in six different World Cups.
- Ronaldo ignored a reporter's question about Lionel Messi.
-
Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan
confidence 100%Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cups after netting two goals against Uzbekistan. Portugal won the match 5-0 in Houston. This follows a difficult opening draw against DR Congo where Ronaldo faced heavy criticism.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in the match against Uzbekistan.
- Ronaldo is the first player to score at six different World Cups.
- Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in their World Cup opener.
- Ronaldo recorded the second fewest touches in the game against DR Congo.
- Ronaldo's goalless run in major international tournaments reached 10 games over four years.
Still unconfirmed:
- Ronaldo was sabotaged by his teammates during the draw with DR Congo.
- Roberto Martinez refused to substitute Ronaldo because he is scared of the player.
- Ronaldo's teammates plotted to edge the forward out of the game.
-
Ronaldo struggles as Portugal draw with DR Congo
confidence 100%Portugal opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in Houston. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to find the net in the match. The 41-year-old is currently facing a goal drought.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal and DR Congo drew 1-1 in Houston.
- Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in the match.
- This was the first match of Ronaldo's sixth World Cup.
Still unconfirmed:
- Cristiano Ronaldo is 41 years old.
- Ronaldo is struggling with a goal drought.
-
Portugal and DR Congo Draw in World Cup Opener
confidence 90%Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo on Wednesday in Houston. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in his sixth World Cup appearance. The result saw Portugal drop points in their first match of the 2026 campaign.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal and DR Congo played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
- The match took place in Houston.
- Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in his sixth World Cup appearance.
- Joao Neves scored early for Portugal and Yoane Wissa equalized with a header.
Still unconfirmed:
- Cristiano Ronaldo is 41 years old.
- Lionel Messi's earlier display intensified the debate between the two stars.
- Roberto Martinez's side was expected to win the match comfortably.
-
DR Congo Earns Historic Draw Against Portugal in World Cup Opener
confidence 95%Portugal played to a 1-1 draw against DR Congo on Wednesday in a Group K match. Joao Neves scored early for Portugal, but Yoane Wissa equalized with a header. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in his sixth World Cup appearance.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal and DR Congo tied 1-1 in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.
- Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in the match.
- Joao Neves scored an early goal for Portugal.
- Yoane Wissa scored a header to equalize for DR Congo.
- This match was part of Group K.
- Cristiano Ronaldo stated that Portugal's World Cup run is "far from over".
Still unconfirmed:
- Pundits questioned Ronaldo's performance following the draw.
-
Portugal and DR Congo Draw in World Cup Opener
confidence 90%Portugal played to a 1-1 draw against DR Congo on Wednesday in Houston. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in the match. This marks the 41-year-old's sixth World Cup.
What's confirmed:
- Portugal and DR Congo tied 1-1 in their World Cup opener.
- Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in the match.
Still unconfirmed:
- Ronaldo is 41 years old.
- This is Ronaldo's sixth World Cup.
-
Cristiano Ronaldo Struggles as Portugal Draws with DR Congo
confidence 50%Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make an impact in Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This was DR Congo's first-ever point in a World Cup match. Ronaldo's performance was disappointing, with some suggesting he may be holding Portugal back.
What's confirmed:
- Cristiano Ronaldo played in his sixth World Cup, matching a record held by Lionel Messi.
- Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw.
- DR Congo earned their first-ever point in a World Cup match.
- Yoane Wissa scored DR Congo's first-ever goal at a World Cup.
- Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in Portugal's World Cup opener.
Still unconfirmed:
- Gael Clichy suggested Cristiano Ronaldo could be holding Portugal back.