Cristiano Ronaldo Criticised by DR Congo's Mukau After Portugal 1-1 World Cup Draw

Who, what, when and why it matters: Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening 2026 World Cup match on June 17, 2026, and DR Congo midfielder Ngalayel Mukau’s blunt post-match assessment — that Cristiano Ronaldo “is not the same” as before — amplified concerns about the Portugal captain’s form and Portugal’s attacking potency at the tournament.

Why it matters

The draw leaves Portugal under early pressure in their group and shifts the immediate focus from team shape and selection to Ronaldo’s role in this Portugal side. Mukau’s widely reported comments and the captain’s quiet statistical night have already become a central narrative of Portugal’s campaign after the opener.

Match recap: early lead, late complacency costs Portugal

Portugal took the lead inside six minutes through Joao Neves, only for DR Congo to grow into the game and level before half-time through Yoane Wissa. The match finished 1-1. According to the supplied match data, the game kicked off on 17 June 2026 at 17:00 UTC and ended in a draw.

Portugal started as favourites but struggled to break down a disciplined Congolese side, which ultimately held firm and celebrated a historic point — DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup point, as reported in the source material.

Mukau’s verdict on Ronaldo — respect with a reality check

After the match, Mukau was asked whether DR Congo prepared a specific plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo. He replied: “A special plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo? To be honest, not really. We know he is not the same player he was a few years ago. He’s a bit older now. But still, he’s one of the greatest… much respect to him.” His words combined a blunt assessment of Ronaldo’s current physical impact with an acknowledgement of the forward’s standing in world football.

Those comments have been widely circulated and quickly became the sharper talking point from the clash, feeding debate about how opponents approach Ronaldo and what Portugal must do to unlock better attacking output.

Statistical context: a rare off night for Portugal’s captain

The match statistics cited in the source underline Mukau’s comments. Ronaldo finished with just 25 touches — one of the lowest totals of his World Cup career — and did not register a shot on target despite playing the full match. The report also notes that he has gone 10 consecutive major-tournament matches without scoring across the World Cup and European Championship competitions, a streak that has become an unwelcome talking point for a player renowned for decisive moments.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended his captain after the match, saying Ronaldo’s presence still provides structure and experience inside the box, according to the supplied source.

What this means for Portugal

The draw and the post-match narrative place fresh questions on Portugal’s attacking strategy and Ronaldo’s suitability as the primary focal point. Opponents may feel less intimidated than in previous tournaments, at least according to Mukau’s on-record assessment, so Portugal must find ways to create better tempo and supply to maximize the captain’s strengths.

• Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener (kickoff 17 June 2026, 17:00 UTC).
• Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal; Yoane Wissa equalised for DR Congo before half-time.
• DR Congo midfielder Ngalayel Mukau said Ronaldo “is not the same” but added respect for his legacy.
• Ronaldo finished the match with 25 touches, no shots on target, and has now gone 10 consecutive major-tournament matches without scoring, per the supplied report.
• Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended Ronaldo’s value to the team’s structure and experience.

What happens next

Portugal will need to respond in their next group fixtures to avoid early pressure mounting; the draw hands momentum to DR Congo after a landmark result and intensifies scrutiny on how Portugal can restore their attacking edge while managing the debate around their captain’s current role.

Expectations and tactical adjustments will be watched closely in the coming matches, particularly how Portugal try to increase Ronaldo’s influence in the final third without over-relying on individual moments.