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As for Portugal coach Roberto Martínez, I’m sure he’s saying: Houston, we have a problem.
But for DR Congo? Houston: it’s a DREAM.
On Tuesday afternoon in Texas, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal began their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 result against DR Congo and once again, an African team delivered an inspiring performance against an Iberian team to record the biggest result in their history.
I think it’s obvious that Portugal needs to improve a lot and still has a lot of room for improvement. But it was yet another majestic performance in the opening days of this tournament. DR Congo – just like Cape Verde’s draw against Spain – should be very, very proud.
Here are my takeaways:
1. It won’t happen, but Ronaldo shouldn’t start for Portugal
(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
I’m sure I’ll receive thousands of messages from Ronaldo superfans, but here’s a statement I’ve been making for a long time now. I think Portugal has a lot more fluidity when the legendary captain comes off the bench.
Portugal, looking to win their first ever World Cup title, are a star-studded team, led by Ronaldo, 41, who joins Lionel Messi as the only male players to have appeared in six World Cups. But Martínez knows that with this strong 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 clarify that this is nothing against Ronaldo, rather it is Martínez’s philosophy and the fact that he prefers an interchangeable attacking formation and the 41-year-old striker basically slows that down because he is a very focused man. I know that will never happen. But I just think Portugal would be much stronger with younger, more mobile strikers like Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão.
2. DR 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 DR Congo returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they faced Zaire.
There is no doubt that the Central African team had heart and intention to win something against this talented Portuguese team. He gave up almost 80% of possession, but for many moments he decided to play and advance with a more direct approach.
And then the story. After conceding 15 goals at the World Cup since 1974, Yoane Wissa forever etched his name in his country’s history with a first-half goal. At the start, Wissa was isolated, just like his teammate Cédric Bakambu, but then on a beautiful cross, Wissa seized his chance. This was executed well by the Newcastle United man.
But throughout the action, the African team held on and put in a solid performance. There are so many reasons to be proud of the Leopards.
3. A disjointed Portugal needs more cohesion
(Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Portugal reached the semi-finals in 1966, then achieved that feat again 20 years ago, when the Seleção das Quinas (Team Shields) finished the 2006 tournament in fourth place.
Since then, they have failed to reach this stage, most recently when they lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals in 2022, as the Atlas Lions made history by becoming the first Arab and African nation to earn a place in the last four.
I’ve already mentioned this team’s embarrassment of riches, but for a vast majority of the action, Portugal, with and without Ronaldo, looked like a group of individuals playing following to each other, not For each other towards a goal.
The precision of the passes was there. In fact, it was statistically 96%, which was its best level since 1966 – but it came to nothing. As in Spain, it was passing for the pleasure of passing. He can’t act like this.
If Portugal wants to get to at least the semi-finals again, they need to feel more like a team.
4. Colombia can take a lot of inspiration from today
If Colombia gets a win against Uzbekistan on Tuesday night, I think Nestor Lorenzo’s team can be very confident in their ability to go top of 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, DR Congo won’t be a pushover and Colombia can’t overlook this team when they meet next week in Guadalajara. As for Portugal, the team will return to Houston and face Uzbekistan in what appears to be a must-win scenario.
