Yoane Wissa scored a shock first-half equaliser as the Democratic Republic of Congo frustrated Portugal at the start of Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth World Cup campaign. The Newcastle striker put aside the frustration of his injury-hit first season with the Premier League club as he headed home to secure a 1-1 draw under a closed roof at Houston's NRG Stadium on Wednesday.
Joao Neves had put Portugal, one of the pre-tournament favourites, ahead after just six minutes but they were unable to build on their strong start as DR Congo — making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years — fought back in the Group K opener.
Ronaldo, matching Lionel Messi's feat of appearing at a sixth World Cup, didn't have the same sort of sensational impact that his old Argentine rival had enjoyed the previous night with his hat-trick against Algeria, as 'CR7' failed to convert two difficult late chances after a quiet game. At 41, Ronaldo's best days are obviously behind him, but many believe it is time for him to call it a day.
Meanwhile, debate about who is the better player immediately raged on social media, with Messi's heroics fresh in everyone's mind. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure after Portugal were held to a draw by DR Congo. Credit: AAP
"Messi will call it quits at a stage where he'd still be considered the best. Ronaldo is washed, his legacy has been tarnished by his own greed," one fan brutally wrote on social media. And another: "Ronaldo at 41 still chasing what Messi just did in one game. Age excuse destroyed. Messi won WC + Ballons at 'old' age, what has CR7 done lately except ads? Finished."
And another: "There's no debate, there never was. Ronaldo isn't even a shadow of Messi. Stick to watching basketball." And another: "Messi surpassed everything Ronaldo has done and it's facts. There's no metric where Ronaldo surpasses Messi except UCL and in that competition he's just won in more ... Messi sweeps Ronaldo easily." And another with a laughing gif: "Heard Ronaldo had a stinker." And another: "Ronaldo is a distraction to the team, it looks like they are trying to play for him not for the team."
French football icon and former Arsenal superstar Thierry Henry was also scathing of Ronaldo's performance. "The team needs to score ... not you," Henry said in commentary, while running vision of Ronaldo getting in the path of his teammates to take a shot. Some fans also suggested the Portugal manager was too scared to drag Ronaldo when things aren't going well.
"I don't think the manager has the balls to drop him. It was exactly the same situation at the last Euros and in Qatar. In the England game the Croatian manager took off Modric fairly early for good reason. Ronaldo won't be taken off unless he says so," a fan said. And another: "It's time for Portugal to employ a manager who will have the balls to not listen to Ronaldo." Another: "Martinez doesn't manage Portugal, Ronaldo does." And another: "Is it time for Portugal to move past Cristiano Ronaldo?"
But Ronaldo certainly still has his supporters. "I guarantee 50 per cent of the people hating on Ronaldo have never watched a single second of this sport before 2022," one supporter said.
As for DR Congo, the minnow deserved their point for a disciplined display after overcoming a difficult start. The African side sat deep early on and were punished as Portugal controlled possession and soon created the opening goal. It came from a move down the left as Pedro Neto found space and whipped in a cross for Neves to rise and power a header into the top corner.
The Leopards responded by adopting a more attacking approach with Wissa lashing a shot wide and Cedric Bakambu also threatening. On the day it was announced he had signed for Real Madrid, Portugal's Bernardo Silva was booked for a poor challenge on Edo Kayembe as DR Congo continued to grow into the contest. Portugal had another good spell but Bruno Fernandes drove a cross through the box and both Neto and Joao Cancelo failed to pick out Ronaldo.
DR Congo finished the first half strongly and drew level in stoppage time. A short corner was worked to Arthur Masuaku and he swung a ball into the box for Wissa to arrive unmarked at the back post and head past Costa. Portugal thought they had reclaimed the lead 10 minutes into the second half after a brilliant overhead kick from Cancelo but the former Manchester City defender was offside.
DR Congo also went close at the other end when Bakambu stole the ball from Fernandes and smashed a shot against a post, but the referee had already blown for a foul. Portugal looked to Ronaldo for inspiration but he twice missed the target from Francisco Conceicao cutbacks. Cancelo also drilled in a ball looking for Ronaldo but it was too close to Lionel Mpasi. DR Congo were increasingly forced back but did go close again on the break when Bakambu shot wide as they held on for a surprise point.
