Ronaldo Draws a Blank Again as Portugal Held to Shock 1-1 Draw by DR Congo

[BretHart_99]

Portugal were widely fancied to stroll through their opener but DR Congo had other ideas, holding them to a 1-1 draw on June 17 that nobody really saw coming. Congo were organised, brave on the counter, and fully deserved the point on the balance of play

The talking point of course is Cristiano Ronaldo, who once again failed to score and extended a frustrating goal drought in major tournaments. There is a real conversation now about whether he should keep his place or whether Portugal are a sharper team without him leading the line

To be fair to him the service was poor and Portugal looked strangely flat in the final third. This felt more like a collective off day than one player's fault, but Ronaldo is always the lightning rod

For neutrals this is exactly what the expanded World Cup was supposed to deliver, a so called smaller nation walking off with a result against a giant. Congo fans will believe they can get out of the group now

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[VB]

Drop him. I said it four years ago and I will say it again. Portugal are better with movement up top

[TristanFenwick]

Congo were brilliant though, give them credit instead of only talking about Ronaldo

[StuckOnDestiny]

The drought in tournaments specifically is wild for a player with his overall numbers

[NeutrinoX54]

He is 41 odd and still starting World Cup games. Bit of perspective please

[Cass]

Portugal midfield gave him nothing. Hard to score off scraps

[Craig71]

This is why I love the 48 team format, results like this every other day

[Zach72]

Will he be benched for the next one? Genuinely curious what the manager does

[Kevin71]

Opposite of Messi at the same age and people will not let that comparison go