The start of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2026 World Cup campaign with Portugal was off to a disappointing start with a 1-1 tie against DR Congo. Having Portugal win convincingly seemed like a no-brainer considering how strong and talented they were, but they ended up facing tough competition in the form of Congo.
In fact, it would go on to show how the Portuguese side had failed to produce any real attacking prowess, scoring only seven shots on target while ending with fewer expected goals (xG) compared to the opposition. Ronaldo himself had nothing to show for in the match other than playing poorly, managing to miss out from the scoresheet despite his best efforts.
Also Read | Cristiano Ronaldo misses golden chance as Portugal held to 1-1 draw by DR Congo in World Cup opener
Henry criticises Ronaldo's obsession with scoring goals
Following the match between Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo against DR Congo, Thierry Henry harshly attacked the style of play of Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that he becomes so goal-oriented that he breaks the attacking rhythm of the entire team.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Henry said, "One thing that's important, people, please at home: the team needs to score, not you need to score."
Breaking down a specific play involving João Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes, Henry explained how Ronaldo’s movement clogged the box instead of opening it up. "If you make that run here," Henry noted, pointing to the space, "you force the defender to make a decision and crash the six-yard box," creating a much better chance for his teammates.
Ronaldo dives into Bruno's path
In continuing with his analysis, Henry said Ronaldo's positioning ended up ruining an obvious opportunity for Bruno Fernandes. The Frenchman stated that making a run into the six-yard box without the intention of scoring would have left the opposing defenders occupied, but Ronaldo's greediness for scoring made the move ineffective.
"He runs into the route of Bruno because he is greedy to score. By driving into the six-yard box, he will have drawn the attention of the defender, thus Bruno will have an easy tap-in. Instead, he has crowded himself around to receive the pass back," Henry concluded.
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Although resulting in a draw in their first match, Ronaldo and his teammates will be focusing more on their strategic formations and gameplay. Portugal will be facing Uzbekistan in their second group stage match on June 23.
FAQs:
Which national team held Portugal to a disappointing 1-1 draw in their opening match?
Portugal was held to a 1-1 tie by DR Congo.
Who will Portugal play against in their second group stage match on June 23?
Portugal will face Uzbekistan in their next fixture.
