Cristiano Ronaldo remained defiant after Portugal’s disappointing start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, insisting that the tournament is “far from over.” Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their Group K opener, leaving the European side with work to do in the coming matches.
Portugal started brightly and took the lead through João Neves. However, DR Congo responded strongly and found an equaliser before halftime through Yoane Wissa. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Portugal could not find a winning goal.
Ronaldo calls for calm
After the match, Ronaldo urged his teammates and supporters not to overreact to the result. The 41-year-old captain said the World Cup is a long competition and one setback should not define Portugal’s campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup hopes remain alive as Portugal still have two group-stage matches left. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner stressed that the squad has enough quality and experience to recover from the slow start.
Portugal under pressure
The draw has increased pressure on Portugal ahead of their upcoming fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia. A positive result in the next game could quickly change the situation in Group K.
Portugal controlled much of the match against DR Congo but struggled to convert their possession into goals. Ronaldo came close on a few occasions but was unable to add to his World Cup tally.
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Road ahead in Group K
The Portuguese camp remains confident despite the setback. Coach Roberto Martinez backed his players and said the team must improve its finishing and defensive concentration.
Portugal’s next two matches now carry added significance. The team knows that another slip could put qualification to the knockout stage at risk.
For Ronaldo, the message remains clear. Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup ambitions are intact, and Portugal still believe they can progress deep into the tournament despite an underwhelming opening result.
