Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his usage of Cristiano Ronaldo and said emotions were a primary factor in a World Cup draw with the DR Congo.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal warms up prior to a 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday in Houston. Photo by Miguel A. Lopes/EPA UPI

June 18 (UPI) -- Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his usage of Cristiano Ronaldo and said emotions were a primary factor in a World Cup draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Martinez made the comments after No. 7 Portugal gave up a 1-0 lead for the 1-1 draw in Group K on Wednesday in Houston. With his appearance, Ronaldo became the second man to play in six World Cups, joining Argentina's Lionel Messi.

But unlike Messi, who scored three goals Tuesday in his 2026 World Cup opener to tie the record for the most goals in tournament history, Ronaldo extended a scoreless streak of five consecutive World Cup matches.

Ronaldo, 41, fired three shots. Just one of Portugal's eight shots was on target -- a sixth-minute score by midfielder Joao Neves. Ronaldo, the top scorer in soccer history, drew criticism from fans for his lack of production.

But Martinez said he never considered replacing Ronaldo with another player, despite Portugal's lack of offensive fluidity.

"In a game like today where we were finding it difficult to get into the box, DR Congo had a back five that at times was even a back six, they accumulated a lot of players," Martinez said. "I think you could use the quality of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out of a game that you need goals."

Neves put Portugal on the scoreboard early when he flicked a header from a Pedro Neto pass past DR Congo goalie Lionel Mpasi. But DR Congo defender Arthur Masuaku assisted forward Yoane Wissa for an equalizer in first-half stoppage time. Neither team found the net in the second half of the Group K opener.

Portugal dominated possession by a margin of 75% to 25%. They also held an edge of 724 to 195 in accurate passes.

"When we scored the opening goal, those emotions had a negative effect on our performance," Martinez told reporters. "We lacked risk taking. We lacked space. We lacked reaching the final third. But it was more a matter of emotion than a technical aspect. But it happens. It's part of the World Cup.

"Now we evaluate it and improve for the second match."

Portugal is tied with No. 43 DR Congo for second in Group K, behind first-place Colombia. The No. 11 Colombians second a 3-1 win over No. 56 Uzbekistan in their Group K opener Wednesday in Mexico City.

"Not the start we wanted, but this is far from over," Ronaldo wrote Wednesday on Instagram. "Head up and focus on the next game."