Ronaldo started up front and finished with three shots, none on target, and rarely seemed to shape the game. That extends a long dry spell at major tournaments: he has not scored in any of his last 10 World Cup or Euros appearances, with his most recent goal a penalty against Ghana at the 2022 World Cup. His last open play goal at either competition dates back to the 2021 Euros.
The scoring drought is only part of the picture. Ronaldo has played 396 of a possible 420 minutes across Portugal's last four matches in major competitions. Against DR Congo, he stayed on for the full 90 while Roberto Martinez made four substitutions, including backup striker Gonçalo Ramos, and still left Ronaldo on the field as younger teammates came off.
It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,
Martinez said when asked why the 41 year old striker was not hooked. The call landed under extra scrutiny after Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina's opening game at this World Cup, while Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé also drew attention with their own tournament starts.
After the match, Thierry Henry highlighted a moment in which Ronaldo's decision making appeared to cost Portugal a scoring chance, framing it as selfish play that may have reflected fixation on what his longtime rival had done the day before. For a Portugal side that looked ready to fly after Neves' early header, the draw and Ronaldo's full match minutes have fans asking whether Martinez is letting an aging star hold the team back when fresher options are on the bench.
