Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has called on his teammates to remain focused after the European side opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo on Wednesday.
The result leaves Portugal with work to do in Group stage action after failing to turn an early advantage into a winning start.
Joao Neves gave Portugal the lead during the opening half, raising expectations of a comfortable victory. However, DR Congo responded before the break when Yohan Wissa headed in the equaliser to level the contest.
Ronaldo, who played the full 90 minutes in Houston, was unable to extend his international scoring record and had limited impact in front of goal during the match.
Reacting after the final whistle, the Portugal captain shared a brief message on social media aimed at shifting attention toward the team’s upcoming fixture.
“It’s not the start we wanted but this is FAR from being over. Focus on the next game,” Ronaldo wrote.
The draw means Portugal will now look to secure their first win of the tournament when they face Uzbekistan next Tuesday.
For DR Congo, the result represents an important point against one of the group’s strongest sides and could strengthen their position as the competition progresses.
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