Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
59%
Cristiano Ronaldo Records Just 25 Touches in Portugal's 1-1 Draw with DR Congo
Portugal opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, with Joao Neves and Yoane Wissa scoring the goals. Cristiano Ronaldo had one of his quietest international performances, making only 25 touches and failing to put a shot on target.
After the match, Ronaldo said Portugal could have won or lost and urged the team to look ahead to its next game.
Quick Facts
Who
Cristiano Ronaldo
What
Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup
When
18 June 2026
Where
2026 World Cup
- Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup
- Joao Neves scored for Portugal
- Yoane Wissa scored for DR Congo
- Cristiano Ronaldo made 25 touches in the match
- Ronaldo played the full match and had no shots on target
Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet start to Portugal's 2026 World Cup campaign, touching the ball just 25 times in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo. The result came in the opening round of Group K, with Joao Neves putting Portugal ahead in the sixth minute before Yoane Wissa equalised in first-half stoppage time.
Ronaldo played the full match but struggled to influence the game. He had three shots, none on target, and completed 19 of 21 passes. He also lost possession three times and won two of three aerial duels, according to match data cited after the game.
The 41-year-old's tally of 25 touches was reported as his lowest in a major tournament appearance for Portugal. The match also marked his 229th international appearance and came while he wore a special shirt recognising his sixth World Cup.
After the match, Ronaldo said Portugal had not lacked anything and described the result as typical of football. He later posted on social media that it was not the start the team wanted, but that the tournament was far from over and the focus had shifted to the next game.
Why This Matters
This match shows that at 41, Ronaldo's influence in high-stakes tournaments may be waning, which could reshape Portugal's tactical approach for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup. For fantasy football managers and bettors, Ronaldo's minimal involvement signals a lower ceiling for his output in the group stage. National team coaches might also reconsider how to best deploy aging stars in modern football.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WirePortugal faced DR Congo in its opening Group K match at the 2026 World Cup.
Jun 18, 2026
WireJoao Neves scored to give Portugal the lead.
Jun 18, 2026
WireYoane Wissa equalised for DR Congo in first-half stoppage time.
Jun 18, 2026
WireDigi Sport published its report on Ronaldo's statistics and post-match remarks.