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As far as Portugal coach Roberto Martínez is concerned, I’m sure he’s saying: Houston, we have a problem.
But for the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Houston: this is a DREAM.
On Tuesday afternoon in Texas, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 result against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and once again an African team produced an inspiring performance against an Iberian team to record their biggest ever result.
I think it is obvious that Portugal needs to improve a lot and has a lot to improve. But it was another majestic performance from the early days of this tournament. The DRC (like Cape Verde’s draw against Spain) should be very, very proud.
Here are my conclusions:
1. It won’t happen, but Ronaldo shouldn’t start in Portugal
(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
I’m sure I’ll get a thousand messages from Ronaldo superfans, but here’s a statement I’ve been making for a long time. I think Portugal has much more fluidity when the legendary captain comes off the bench.
Portugal, seeking to win its first World Cup title, is an all-star team, led by Ronaldo, 41, who joined Lionel Messi as the only male player to participate in six World Cups. But Martínez knows that with this deep squad at his disposal, which includes Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, who will join José Mourinho’s Real Madrid next season, he wants to go far.
I also want to say that this is nothing against Ronaldo, it is more about Martínez’s philosophy and how he prefers an interchangeable attacking lineup and the 41-year-old forward essentially stops this because he is a very objective man. I know it will never happen. But I think Portugal would be much stronger with some younger and more mobile attackers like Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão.
2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo deserved the result and inspired a nation
(Photo by Julian Finney – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
It was a celebration 52 years in the making, as the Democratic Republic of the Congo returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when it was Zaire.
There is no doubt that the Central African team had heart and the intention to win something against this talented Portuguese team. They lost almost 80% of possession, but for many moments decided to gamble and attack with a more direct approach.
And then the story. After conceding 15 goals in the World Cup since that 1974 tournament, Yoane Wissa forever etched his name in his country’s history with a goal in the first half. At first, Wissa was isolated, as was his teammate Cédric Bakambu, but then, when a nice cross arrived, Wissa took advantage of the opportunity. It was well executed by the Newcastle United man.
But throughout the action, the African team stood firm and put in a resilient performance. There is a lot to be proud of about The Leopards.
3. Disjointed Portugal needs more cohesion
(Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Portugal reached the semi-finals in 1966 and achieved that feat again 20 years ago, when the Seleção das Quinayes (the Shields Team) finished the 2006 tournament in fourth place.
They have not reached that stage since, most recently when they lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals in 2022, when the Atlas Lions made history by becoming the first Arab and African nation to earn a place in the final four.
I already mentioned the embarrassment of riches of this team, but for the vast majority of the action, Portugal, with and without Ronaldo, looked like a collection of individuals, playing next each other, not for each other towards a goal.
The precision in the passes was there. In fact, statistically it was 96%, the best level since 1966, but it came to nothing. As in Spain, it was just a matter of passing. He can’t act like that.
If Portugal wants to reach at least the semi-finals again, they need to feel more like a team.
4. Colombia can be very inspired by current events
If Colombia gets a win against Uzbekistan on Tuesday night, I think Néstor Lorenzo’s team can feel very confident that they can top the group and take something away from Portugal in the final match, especially since the match will be played in Miami in front of what should be a pro-Colombian crowd.
But as we saw on Wednesday, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be easy and Colombia cannot overlook this team when the two meet next week in Guadalajara. As for Portugal, the team will return to Houston and take on Uzbekistan in what looks like a must-win scenario.
