The Portugal national football team is under debate after Cristiano Ronaldo's disappointing debut in the World Cup. The 41-year-old striker did not score in the match against Congo DR and this rekindled the discussion about his starting position in the team.

What happened?

Cristiano Ronaldo had a discreet performance in his debut in the sixth World Cup of his career, in the 1-1 draw between Portugal and Congo DR.

Why does this matter for the Portugal national football team?

The discussion about Cristiano Ronaldo's starting position is important because he is one of the main players of the Portuguese team and his presence on the field can affect the team's performance.

What's next?

The Portugal national football team will face Colombia in the next round of Group K. | Date | Opponent | Location | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-27 | Colombia | Away |

The last match of the Portuguese team was a 1-1 draw with Congo DR, on June 17, 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo needs to reverse the perception against Uzbekistan to keep Portugal's title hopes alive.