Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez says he does not regret keeping Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for the entire match in Portugal’s 1–1 draw with DR Congo on Wednesday. The decision drew public criticism after Ronaldo’s performance failed to noticeably change the game. Martínez instead defends his choice as part of his overall team plan during Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign opener in Houston.
Both outlets report that Ronaldo starts and plays the full 90 minutes, and that the match ends 1–1 as Portugal begin their tournament campaign without a win. The reporting also notes that the criticism centers on Ronaldo not delivering a standout performance, which intensified calls for a substitution. Martínez responds to the backlash by giving his reasons for not making a change, emphasizing that he allowed the veteran forward to finish the match rather than bringing him off during the game.
The articles do not provide further detail on specific tactical explanations, but they agree on the key points: Martínez backed the decision, Ronaldo played the full duration, the match ended 1–1, and Portugal start their World Cup campaign in Houston with a draw.
