{"id":4241,"date":"2026-06-18T17:05:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T17:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=4241"},"modified":"2026-06-18T17:05:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T17:05:41","slug":"portugal-great-ronaldo-fails-to-score-in-a-surprising-1-1-draw-against-congo-at-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=4241","title":{"rendered":"Portugal great Ronaldo fails to score in a surprising 1-1 draw against Congo at the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
Portugal\u2019s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

HOUSTON \u2014 Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a pretty forgettable performance in the first match of his sixth World Cup<\/a> .<\/p>

Read more College sports bill clears key Senate hurdle despite SEC, Big Ten opposition<\/a><\/p>\n

After Lionel Messi<\/a> , Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/a> and Erling Haaland<\/a> all scored in their opening matches, the 41-year-old Ronaldo couldn\u2019t find the net Wednesday in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo<\/a> .<\/p>\n

With players like Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior<\/a> , Viktor Gy\u00f6keres<\/a> and Harry Kane<\/a> also all scoring early in this year\u2019s World Cup, Ronaldo being held scoreless stands out even more.<\/p>\n

However, the Portugal great did join Messi as the only players to appear in six World Cups. But a day after the Argentina captain had a hat trick<\/a> , Ronaldo missed a few chances to become the first player to score in a sixth tournament.<\/p>\n

His shots in the 68th and 73rd minutes went wide right, and he didn\u2019t look happy after either of them.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo didn\u2019t speak to reporters after the game but he posted about the match on X<\/a> .<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t the start we wanted, but this is far from over,\u201d he wrote. \u201cHead up and focus on the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Portugal coach Roberto Mart\u00ednez was asked if he considered taking out Ronaldo on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes no sense to get the best world scorer to be out when you need goals,\u201d Mart\u00ednez said. \u201cThe experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important.\u201d<\/p>

Read more He grew up in Alabama football country. Now he\u2019s anchoring the U.S. at the World Cup.<\/a><\/p>\n

Congo midfielder Ngal\u2019ayel Mukau, who is 20 years younger than Ronaldo, addressed the challenge of facing one of the greatest to ever play the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that Ronaldo isn\u2019t the same as before,\u201d Mukau said. \u201cSo we know that he runs less, less efforts. So yeah, it was up to our defense to stop him, and they did a great job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s game was the 229th of Ronaldo\u2019s international career, the most for a man in history. He won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, but his best finish at the World Cup came in his first tournament in 2006 when his team reached the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Mart\u00ednez was asked if Ronaldo will start Portugal\u2019s upcoming matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia considering his age.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe treat every player in the same way. We take it step by step,\u201d Mart\u00ednez said. \u201cWe\u2019ll assess every player. It\u2019s not a special issue. We don\u2019t treat Cristiano with age … we treat him how he feels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronaldo did, however, become the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, taking the record set four years ago by Canada midfielder Atiba Hutchinson. Cameroon great Roger Milla is the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup match, coming on as a substitute at 42 years old during the 1994 World Cup.<\/p>\n

This is likely to be the final World Cup for Ronaldo, who won the Champions League five times with Manchester United and Real Madrid and currently plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

This story was first published on Jun. 17, 2026. It was updated on Jun. 18, 2026 to remove an erroneous mention of a goal by Christian Pulisic. Pulisic did not score in the United States\u2019 first World Cup game.<\/p>

Read more Government can\u2019t restrict gun ownership over habitual weed use, Supreme Court rules<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/fifa-world-cup<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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