Martinez Defends Playing Ronaldo Through 10-Game Drought After Portugal's 1-1 Congo DR Draw
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 17
Martinez Defends Playing Ronaldo Through 10-Game Drought After Portugal's 1-1 Congo DR Draw
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 17
Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo played all 90 minutes in Portugal's 1-1 World Cup draw with Congo DR, and Roberto Martinez said benching the 143-goal captain "makes no sense" when Portugal need goals.
10 straight major-tournament games without a goal have intensified scrutiny of Ronaldo, who managed three shots and none on target and has not scored a non-penalty goal in a major competition since June 19, 2021.
Joao Neves gave Portugal a sixth-minute lead, but Martinez said the team then became too passive, prioritizing possession over penetration and allowing Congo DR to reset defensively and counter.
Congo DR, back at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, held Portugal after the favorite produced only six more shot attempts following the opener.
Portugal next face Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston, with Martinez arguing one poor opening result should not trigger panic in a tournament.