Portugal draws 1-1 with DR Congo in World Cup opener

Portugal drew 1-1 against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match of the World Cup. The Portuguese team faced criticism for their performance, with particular focus on 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who struggled to make an impact during the game. Despite missing two scoring opportunities, Ronaldo remained on the pitch for the duration of the match. Portugal's head coach, Roberto Martinez, defended his decision not to substitute Ronaldo, citing his status as the highest-scoring player in history as the reason to keep him in while searching for a goal. Portuguese media outlets and former English international Chris Sutton have criticized Martinez, suggesting he is reluctant to bench the veteran striker. The general sentiment in the Portuguese press is one of dissatisfaction regarding both the team's lackluster display and the coaching decisions made during the match.