The Ghastly 0.65 Expected Goals From Portugal's World Cup Opener: Why Ronaldo Is a Disaster

Alright, Seattle, we gotta talk about this. You know I bleed green and blue for our teams, but sometimes you just gotta call it like it is on the world stage, too. Portugal just kicked off their World Cup with a shaky 1-1 draw against DR Congo, and if you watched it, you know the problem is glaring. Cristiano Ronaldo, the living legend, is actually holding this talented squad back. Like, for real. It's been whispered for years, but after that opener, you gotta ask: what in the world is Roberto Martinez doing by still starting him? This isn't just "Cris being Cris," folks, this is an anchor dragging down their World Cup hopes.

Ronaldo's Drag on the Pitch

Let's dive into the ugly numbers from that DR Congo game, because they tell the whole story. Portugal managed a paltry 0.65 expected goals for the entire match. Think about that for a second. And guess who was responsible for a huge chunk of that meager output? Yep, Ronaldo. He took three of Portugal's seven shots, accounting for a massive 0.46 of that 0.65 xG. He was a passenger and, somehow, the most important player on the pitch at the same time. You know why? Because Martinez's side was literally *aiming everything at him*. Half of their 26 crosses in that opener were aimed right at the No. 7. Thierry Henry even pointed out a "particularly telling opening" for the Portuguese, mid-broadcast, which just shows how obvious this is getting. It’s like they're playing with one hand tied behind their backs, forcing the ball to a guy who isn't making it happen.

But Wait, What

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About the Legend? Now, I know what some of you are thinking. "But he's CRISTIANO RONALDO!" And yeah, Ruben Dias tried to defend his captain ahead of the Uzbekistan game, saying "Cris is a major focus, but everyone is under scrutiny at a moment like this." He even tried to say "nothing out of the ordinary is happening." I get it, he's a teammate. But let's be real, his international struggles are just piling up. In the last three major tournaments, Ronaldo has one goal. One! And it was a penalty against Ghana in the 2022 World Cup opener. Sure, he still bosses weaker teams in qualifiers, and he scored in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final of the Nations League last season (though I bet you can't remember who he scored against, can you?). The facts are, in the games that *really* matter, Ronaldo is a drag. He's 41 years old, the second-oldest outfield player in World Cup history. We've seen glimpses of a Ronaldo-less Portugal in major tournaments, and they hint at an "imperfect team with a very high ceiling." Martinez has got a tough call coming, but if Portugal wants to do anything in this World Cup, he needs to make it. This team has talent, serious talent, but they're being held hostage by a past glory. It’s time for Martinez to unleash that potential. Portugal plays Uzbekistan next on Tuesday, and every fan, including us here in Seattle watching from afar, will be glued to that lineup. Is Martinez going to make the change everyone knows is necessary? Or will Portugal continue to play with one of the greatest ever becoming their biggest weakness? I'm telling you, the stakes could not be higher for their entire tournament.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.