Cristiano Ronaldo Reflects on Portugal’s Draw with DR Congo in World Cup 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the Portugal national team, shared his thoughts following the team’s 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

The match took place on Wednesday evening at the NRG Stadium in the United States, marking the first round of group stage competitions.

Ronaldo emphasized that the game was intense and decided by minor details. “We lacked nothing; this is football. Portugal could have won, but we could have also lost,” he stated during his post-match interview with reporters.

Portugal is positioned in Group 11 alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, creating a competitive atmosphere for qualification to the next round.

Next Match for Portugal in World Cup 2026

The Portuguese team is set to face Uzbekistan in their second group stage match on Tuesday, June 23. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8 PM Cairo time and will be broadcasted on Qatar’s beIN Sports channels.

Ronaldo had previously conveyed a heartfelt message ahead of the tournament, stating, “A new chapter begins; believe in what we believe in.”.