India, June 18 -- Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered a clear message after Portugal's disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup, where they were held to a draw by DR Congo. Portugal entered the match as overwhelming favourites, with many expecting them to dominate proceedings and score freely, given the quality in their squad. Instead, they found themselves frustrated for long periods despite taking an early lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

While Portugal enjoyed the majority of possession, their much-vaunted midfield struggled to turn that control into clear-cut chances. The team lacked the creativity and sharpness expected from a side packed with attacking talent, allowing DR Congo to remain in the contest throughout the match. Ronaldo...