Cristiano Ronaldo does little to quieten critics after anonymous display for Portugal

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a] were held to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/d-r-congo-phn9mm8H/portugal-WvJrjFVN/?mid=4zTHJLbM"]a ‌1-1 draw[/a] in Group K by a Congolese side appearing ‌at their first global finals in 52 years.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Ronaldo[/a], 41, is at his ‌sixth World Cup, a record he jointly holds with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a]’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]‌Lionel Messi[/a], and had two chances to win the game, both of which he put wide from close range.[/p][p]The frustration from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fernandes-bruno/GYvAMDm2/"]Bruno Fernandes[/a], who ‌had lined up behind Ronaldo in the first ⁠of the opportunities, was evident ‌and prolonged.[/p][image alt="Ronaldo heat map vs D.R. Congo" id="628cb89a-c808-4ee4-94d0-b205fbd560d5" credit-line="REUTERS / Phil Noble / Opta by Stats Perform" guid="e9659c0d-4533-4a8b-b7a0-1101e34acb14" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Ronaldo had the fewest touches (25) of any Portugal player who featured ​for more than 45 minutes.[/p][p]Portugal coach Roberto Martinez was not in the mood to speak specifically about Ronaldo’s performance in ​the post-match press conference, suggesting the forward was not given the support he needed.[/p][p]"[b]We have to utilise all the players on the ⁠pitch. The lead attacker (Ronaldo) ​needs to be close to the six-yard box and we need to get the ball (to him).[/b]"[/p][h2]No sense to substitute Ronaldo[/h2][p]Asked if he thought about substituting Ronaldo, Martinez said the forward's experience ‌was key.[/p][p]"[b]It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals[/b]," he said.[/p][p]"[b]For us in moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important, the way that we can use the space is important[/b].[/p][p]"[b]And every player has a responsibility or a piece of quality on the pitch. And clearly when you look for goals, you need to ‌have Cristiano[/b]."[/p][embed guid="6eff7f75-03c7-4502-b622-ba791f1ecda7" url="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/2067325808893468970" social-type="twitter" /][p]The debate over whether Ronaldo should be used as a ​starter, off the bench or not at all is not ‌a new one.[/p][p]His incredible return of 143 goals in 229 caps – both of which are records in men’s international football – puts him among football's greats.[/p][p]But Portugal are not lacking talent in attacking areas.[/p][p]They are next in action against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uzbekistan/EZYKKRMc/"]Uzbekistan[/a] in Houston ⁠on Tuesday, before they face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/colombia/G02s4PCS/"]⁠Colombia[/a] in a final Group ‌K clash in Miami on June 27th.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]