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  • ‘No room for complacency,” says coach ahead of Scotland clash

    ‘No room for complacency,” says coach ahead of Scotland clash

    As anticipation builds for Thursday’s high-stakes Group B clash at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Headingley, West Indies head coach Shane Deitz has delivered a firm wake-up call to his squad, emphasizing that overconfidence will have no place in their game plan.

    Both sides enter the match riding a wave of momentum from unforgettable opening-round wins, turning the under lights encounter into one of the most compelling matches of the tournament so far. The Windies pulled off a dramatic final-over upset to knock defending champions New Zealand off their throne, while Scotland notched a historic milestone, securing their first-ever victory at a Women’s T20 World Cup with a clinical performance against Ireland.

    Despite a comfortable six-wicket win over Scotland at the 2024 tournament, where Deandra Dottin’s aggressive late innings sealed the result and boosted the side’s net run rate, Deitz is quick to stress that today’s Scottish side is a vastly different and far more dangerous opponent.

    Since that 2024 meeting, Scotland has added several talented new players to their roster, and a growing number of their core squad now compete regularly in England’s competitive domestic cricket circuit, raising their overall level of play dramatically. The coach also noted that Scotland’s landmark opening win over Ireland has injected the side with massive confidence, a factor that makes them even more of a threat.

    “They had a great win, so they’ll be flying high and full of confidence,” Deitz said. “They’ve got some good players all around, a good mix, they hit different areas. We’re going to have to be at our absolute best to beat them. We definitely can’t be complacent, and we won’t be.”

    The Windies’ opening match against New Zealand was a true rollercoaster of emotions, with veteran Shemaine Campbelle delivering a career-defining performance: her first T20I half-century across 155 appearances, which guided the side across the line in the final over. Even so, Deitz warns his team cannot count on repeated mistakes from their opponents, nor can they rely on their higher world ranking – West Indies sits 6th, five places above Scotland – to carry them to victory.

    Reflecting on the transformation of women’s cricket since he first joined the sport in 2014, Deitz noted that the gap between top-tier sides and emerging nations has shrunk dramatically. “Back then, it was clear those three or four sides were miles ahead of everyone else. But now, you have to bring your best every single day, and it’s just a great spectacle. The girls work hard and have got as much passion and energy for the game as anyone you’ll ever see.”

    Deitz did not hold back when praising Scotland’s standout players, calling dynamic sibling duo Kathryn and Sarah Bryce true world-class talents, while adding that his own side boasts elite match-winners ready to rise to the challenge.

    For Scotland, however, the team is approaching the match with calm confidence rather than intimidation, despite facing a side that has claimed multiple World Cup titles in the past. Opening batter Darcey Carter, who set a solid foundation for Scotland’s win over Ireland before being dismissed for 14, spent the eve of the match studying West Indies’ win over New Zealand and says her side is unfazed by their opponent’s reputation.

    “They’re a really good side. They’ve got some great players in their team as well, but I think we just have to play the team on the day,” Carter explained. “Personally, I don’t try to look at the names too much because then you just get caught up in that. If we can just take the game as it comes and adapt to how the opposition plays, then I think we will be in good stead.”

    Scotland also has a recent upset over the Windies to draw confidence from: the side claimed an 11-run win over West Indies in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, a result that ultimately eliminated the Caribbean side from contention for the tournament. That history only adds another layer of intrigue to Thursday’s must-win clash, leaving cricket fans around the world waiting to see which side will carry their opening momentum forward.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: DR Congo verrassend gelijk tegen Portugal

    Derde helft WK 2026: DR Congo verrassend gelijk tegen Portugal

    In the latest round of 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K action, European powerhouse Portugal and African contender the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Boston’s iconic tournament venue, with referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim of Qatar overseeing the 90-minute contest.

    This tournament marks just the second time DR Congo has qualified for a World Cup final stage, while Portugal is making its ninth appearance at football’s biggest global event, cementing its status as one of the most consistent sides in international football.

    The game got off to a flying start for Portugal, who seized control of possession and attacking momentum from the opening whistle. Just six minutes in, João Neves put the European side ahead with a well-placed header, giving Portugal an early 1-0 lead that looked set to open the floodgates for a dominant victory. In the 18th minute, Nuno Mendes broke dangerously into DR Congo’s penalty area, but goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi read the play perfectly and made a key save to stop Portugal from doubling their advantage.

    After the early opening exchanges, both sides created clear scoring opportunities, but wasteful finishing kept the scoreline unchanged. As the first half ticked into stoppage time at 45+5 minutes, it appeared Portugal would take their one-goal lead into the half-time break. That was until Yoane Wissa produced a moment of brilliance, heading a stunning effort past Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa to level the score for DR Congo right on the stroke of half time, sending the two sides into the break on level terms after an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

    Shortly after the interval, substitute Francisco Conceição had a golden chance from close range to restore Portugal’s lead, but he failed to convert. The Portuguese side then launched a relentless wave of attacks on the DR Congo goal, but the African side’s defense held firm to weather the storm. On a rare counter-attack, DR Congo’s Cédric Bakambu saw his effort hit the post, coming inches away from putting his side in front.

    As the match progressed, DR Congo gradually ceded possession and initiative back to Portugal, who looked to capitalize on their territorial advantage. Before the mandatory water break, Cristiano Ronaldo had a clear opening to put his side ahead, but he produced an uncharacteristically poor finish that missed the target. With just over 15 minutes remaining, Ronaldo was presented with another good chance from a cross into the box, but he again failed to test the DR Congo keeper. DR Congo also struggled to make their own opportunities count, with Bakambu unable to convert their best late chances.

    In the closing minutes, both sides created late goal-scoring chances that could have snatched a winner, but neither side could find a decisive finishing touch. The match also saw unsportsmanlike conduct from several Portuguese players, who escaped punishment for multiple fouls that could have changed the outcome of the contest. With no further goals added after full time, the Group K clash ended in a 1-1 share of the points. The result leaves both sides still in contention to progress from the group stage, with their next matches set to determine their fate in the tournament.

  • DaSilva, Jangoo earn West Indies recall

    DaSilva, Jangoo earn West Indies recall

    As the Caribbean cricket community gears up for the upcoming two-Test home series against Sri Lanka, Cricket West Indies has announced a reshuffled Test squad headlined by the return of several key players ahead of the opening fixture kicking off next Thursday at Antigua’s iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

    Wicketkeeper-batter Joshua DaSilva and left-handed batsman Amir Jangoo have earned their way back into the Test fold, joining fast bowling pair Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, who are returning to competitive Test squad selection following recovery from injury. The two fast bowlers last appeared in a Test squad during the Caribbean’s home series against Australia in 2025.

    DaSilva’s recall comes on the back of blistering form across the past two editions of the West Indies Championship, where he accumulated a staggering 996 runs to push his case for selection. For Jangoo, a stellar 2026 regional campaign cemented his spot in the squad: he ended the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer and notched a double century, earning his first Test call-up since January 2025. Roston Chase will remain at the helm of the side as captain, with the full 15-man squad released officially by CWI.

    West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed enthusiasm for the challenge of facing a well-rounded Sri Lankan side on home soil this summer. “Every Test series is a chance for this group to grow collectively and build a stronger team identity,” Sammy noted. “Sri Lanka is a high-quality opponent, so we know we have to perform at our very best to get results, but the entire squad is excited for the test that lies ahead.”

    Sammy outlined the core values the team is focusing on ahead of the series, saying, “For us, success comes down to playing with consistent discipline, showing character when matches enter tough phases, and representing the West Indies with pride. The players have put in the hard work during preparations, and we’re eager to put on a strong performance for our fans across the Caribbean.”

    The team is currently wrapped up in a high-performance training camp in Antigua, which will run through June 22, and Sammy opened up about the camp’s critical role in pre-series preparations. “This camp is a key part of getting ready for Sri Lanka. It gives players and coaching staff dedicated time to sharpen the specific skills we need to target against this opponent, and align on our gameplan. It also lets us lock in clear objectives and strategy for the back half of our summer, when we face Pakistan.”

    Beyond the training camp, a four-day warm-up fixture scheduled between June 18 and 21 at Coolidge Cricket Ground will give emerging players a chance to prove themselves against the visiting Sri Lankan side before the first Test. “This warm-up game creates space for our Test hopefuls to compete in high-intensity match play, and fosters healthy competition within the setup for future series selection,” Sammy added. Tevin Imlach has been named captain of the 13-man West Indies Select XI for the warm-up encounter, which includes several members of the full Test squad looking to find match rhythm ahead of the opening Test.

  • This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Last Shot: Can He Finally Win the World Cup?

    This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Last Shot: Can He Finally Win the World Cup?

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and for Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, this tournament is far more than just another stop on a decades-long iconic career—it is the final, do-or-die chance to claim the only major prize that has evaded his trophy cabinet. On Wednesday morning, Portugal launched their World Cup run with an opening match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Houston’s NRG Stadium, marking the start of Ronaldo’s historic sixth World Cup appearance, an unprecedented achievement for any men’s international footballer.

    Long before the first whistle blew, hundreds of adoring supporters packed the sidewalks outside the Texas stadium, nearly all clad in Ronaldo’s instantly recognizable number 7 Portugal jersey, all waiting for a glimpse of the 41-year-old superstar ahead of kickoff. For fans and analysts alike, this moment has been years in the making: Ronaldo’s career is already littered with countless records, multiple domestic league titles across three top European leagues, five Ballon d’Or awards, and a European Championship trophy with Portugal. The one gap that remains on his legendary resume? A World Cup winner’s medal.

    The timing of Ronaldo’s 2026 debut adds an extra layer of narrative weight to his quest, coming just 24 hours after his long-time rival, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, took the field for his own World Cup opener. Messi, who already sealed his own World Cup legacy by leading Argentina to the 2022 title in Qatar, added another historic milestone to his career on Tuesday, netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s dominant 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium that pushed him to the top of the tournament’s all-time active goalscoring charts.

    Entering the 2026 tournament, Ronaldo boasts a strong World Cup track record across his five previous appearances: 22 matches played, 8 goals scored, and a host of unforgettable moments that are already etched into tournament history. His most iconic individual performance came during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where his last-minute free-kick against Spain earned Portugal a dramatic draw and cemented his reputation as a big-game player capable of changing the course of a match single-handedly.

    Unlike some earlier campaigns where Portugal entered the tournament ranked as long shots, the 2026 Portuguese squad is widely regarded as one of the genuine title contenders in the expanded 48-team field, backed by a mix of seasoned veteran leadership and emerging young talent. For Ronaldo, who has defied all expectations of age-related decline to maintain his fitness and form at 41, the pieces are finally in place for him to complete his legacy. The question that has dominated football headlines around the world heading into this tournament remains unanswered: Will 2026 finally be the year that Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the World Cup trophy?

  • SGU, champions of 2026 GCIC Inter-Sector Windball Cricket Competition

    SGU, champions of 2026 GCIC Inter-Sector Windball Cricket Competition

    On June 5, 2026, the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) wrapped up its highly anticipated 2026 Inter-Sector Windball Cricket Competition, capping off weeks of competitive play and community connection that brought workplaces from across the island nation together.

    This year’s tournament broke recent turnout marked one of the largest in the event’s history, drawing 28 competing squads drawn from both public and private sector organizations across Grenada. From the opening matches, athletes brought energy and competitive spirit that set the tone for weeks of engaging play. After an action-packed preliminary round and two tightly contested knockout stages, only four top-performing teams advanced to the final round of rankings, each showcasing consistent talent, relentless determination and seamless collaborative play throughout the tournament.

    When the final match concluded, St George’s University (SGU) claimed the top spot, earning the 2026 championship title after a series of dominant run of standout performances across every stage of the competition.

    The final official rankings for the tournament are as follows: first place went to St George’s University, second place was secured by His Majesty’s Prisons, third place went to the National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa), and fourth place was earned by the Grenada Hospitals team.

    In a statement following the event, the GCIC extended warm congratulations to every team that took part in the 2026 competition, with special recognition for the four finalists for their impressive accomplishments. The chamber also offered sincere thanks to all participating employers, event sponsors, partnering organizations, match officials, volunteer staff, attending spectators and every individual who contributed time, resources, and effort to make this year’s tournament a success.

    With the 2026 edition successfully completed, the GCIC says it plans to build on this year’s momentum, expand participation and grow the event in future iterations. The organization has already expressed excitement to welcome even more cross-sector teams to upcoming inter-sector sporting programs in the coming years.

    Those seeking additional information about the GCIC or future iterations of the Inter-Sector Windball Cricket Competition may contact the GCIC Secretariat located in Frequente, St George’s, by telephone at (473) 440-2937 or (473) 403-2937, via email at [email protected], or through the official GCIC website.

  • Neymar to miss Brazil’s second World Cup game against Haiti

    Neymar to miss Brazil’s second World Cup game against Haiti

    MORRISTOWN, U.S. – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage progresses, Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer Neymar will miss the Seleção’s second Group C clash against Haiti on Friday, after medical and coaching staff opted to let the star continue his rehabilitation from a right calf injury rather than travel with the squad.

    The 34-year-old forward only rejoined full team training with the Brazilian national side this week, after being sidelined since late May when his calf injury was first diagnosed. Fitness issues have plagued Neymar throughout the 2024 club season with Santos, limiting him to just half of his club’s competitive matches this year. He also missed Brazil’s opening Group C fixture against Morocco last week, which ended in a 1-1 draw for the five-time world champions.

    Prior to this decision, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti had expressed cautious optimism that Neymar would be available to feature at least partially in the Philadelphia match against Haiti. But local Brazilian media reports indicate the coaching hierarchy is unwilling to rush Neymar’s comeback, a move that would put his potential participation in later knockout rounds of the tournament at unnecessary risk.

    In an official statement distributed to reporters on Thursday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that Neymar, who has not represented the Seleção since October 2023, will stay behind in New Jersey to complete the final phase of his recovery program. Brazil will wrap up its group stage play against Scotland in Miami on June 24, with supporters still holding out hope the star will be fit to feature by that critical final group fixture.

  • UTech’s Dominic Williams leads qualifiers for men’s 100m at trials

    UTech’s Dominic Williams leads qualifiers for men’s 100m at trials

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ahead of Thursday’s first round of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Senior and Junior Championships, the men’s 100-meter preliminary qualifying round wrapped up Wednesday at Kingston’s iconic National Stadium, with University of Technology (UTech) sprinter Dominic Williams securing the top position in the overall rankings.

    In a pre-championship qualifying structure designed to pare down a deep field of contenders, 26 sprinters earned automatic spots in the first round based on their entry submission times. Those pre-qualified athletes will be joined by seven top performers from the 45-man qualifying round, which was held to thin out the remaining field of competitors.

    Running in the fifth heat of the qualifying round, Williams crossed the finish line first with a time of 10.31 seconds, posted against a headwind of -0.7 meters per second. That mark was enough to give him the fastest overall qualifying time heading into the first round. Right behind Williams in the overall rankings, two other sprinters matched each other for the second-fastest qualifying time: Ramone Barnswell of the elite MVP Track Club and UTech’s Jeevan Newby, who both clocked 10.33 seconds in the fourth heat, running into a stronger headwind of -2.5 meters per second. Both earned their spots in Thursday’s opening round.

    Several other standout sprinters also advanced out of qualifying to join the first round field. De’jaun Strachan, another UTech representative, posted a 10.39-second run (-0.7m/s) to secure his place. Rounding out the advancing athletes are Mario Williams (MVP), Kyle Richards (MVP) and Javoy Tucker of Titans Track Club.

    The men’s 100m first round is scheduled to kick off at 6:10 pm local time on Thursday, continuing the annual national championships that serve as a key selection event for Jamaica’s international track and field teams. Reporting by Paul A Reid.

  • Duckie assumes head coach role at Waterhouse

    Duckie assumes head coach role at Waterhouse

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A major shakeup has hit Jamaica’s top-flight football scene, as well-respected local coach Donovan Duckie has stepped into the head coaching role at Waterhouse FC. The appointment comes immediately after former Argentine manager Javier Aintein stepped down from the position unexpectedly, leaving a sudden vacancy at the club.

    Fresh off his recent resignation from another Jamaican side, Chapelton Maroons, Duckie’s return to Waterhouse marks his third tenure leading the squad. The coach already held the top job at the club for the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2017/2018 seasons, giving him deep existing ties to the organization.

    In his first public comments since taking the role, Duckie framed his comeback as a rare privilege. “It is a privilege to return to Waterhouse FC, a club that I have tremendous respect and affection for,” he stated. “I look forward to working with the players, staff and the entire Waterhouse family as we set our sights on achieving our goals together.”

    Duckie also extended his gratitude to the club’s leadership for the opportunity, singling out chairman Bruce Bicknell and president Donovan White for entrusting him with the role.

    The coach already has a proven track record of success during his previous stints with Waterhouse. In 2013, he guided the team to a second-place finish in the national league, and in 2015 he led the club to qualification for the Caribbean Club Championship.

    For Duckie, the club holds far more than professional significance, calling it a second home. “Waterhouse is like a second home for me, and I am forever grateful to the people of the community for the love they have shown me in the past,” he said. He recalled one of the squad’s most memorable near-victories: a 2013 title race that came down to a penalty shootout against Portmore United, where Waterhouse fell just short of the championship but still secured qualification for Concacaf club competition.

    While he acknowledges the value of past successes, Duckie emphasized that history will not drive his current work. “But what is important is for me, it’s good to reflect on history, but it counts for nothing in football,” he explained. “So, we must ensure that this club takes its rightful place in the Jamaica Premier League, which is to be champions and to be playing in Concacaf football.”

    Describing the appointment as an honour to return to a club with such a deep and decorated history, Duckie said he is eager to hit the ground running. He pledged to bring full effort to every aspect of the role, noting that anything less than 100% would fall short of the expectations the Waterhouse community holds for the team. He closed by urging local fans to turn out in force to support the squad through the upcoming campaign.

  • Dominican Republic guarantees free healthcare for Santo Domingo 2026 participants

    Dominican Republic guarantees free healthcare for Santo Domingo 2026 participants

    As the Dominican Republic enters its final preparation phase for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games hosted in Santo Domingo, a historic symbolic gesture has put the spotlight on the country’s public health preparations: the National Health Service (SNS) has officially received the Games’ torch in a ceremony held at the Ciudad Sanitaria Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar.

    Marking the first time the ceremonial torch has been accepted by a health institution in the history of the regional Games, the event brought together over 100 frontline and managerial healthcare professionals from the country’s public health network. In a symbolic handover, the official Santo Domingo 2026 Games mascot passed the torch to SNS Executive Director Julio Landrón, kicking off the formal rollout of the event’s medical support plan.

    During his remarks at the ceremony, Landrón emphasized the unprecedented nature of the torch handover to a health complex, noting that the moment underscores the central role the public health system will play in delivering a safe, successful competition. Scheduled to run from July 24 to August 8, 2026, the Games will draw thousands of athletes, official delegations, international visitors, and local spectators to venues across Santo Domingo, making robust and accessible medical care a top priority for organizers.

    To meet this demand, Landrón outlined that all hospitals and primary health centers located within close proximity of Games venues will be integrated into a dedicated, coordinated medical response network. This specialized system is designed to deliver rapid, efficient care in any scenario, from minor training injuries to emergency health incidents. Per explicit directives from Dominican President Luis Abinader, all medical services for participating athletes, delegation members, visiting guests, and spectators will be provided completely free of charge, reaffirming the government’s commitment to an accessible, welcoming event.

    José Joaquín Puello, a neurosurgeon and president of the Ciudad Sanitaria Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar, echoed Landrón’s remarks, highlighting the months of advanced planning that have gone into preparing the country’s hospital network for the Games. Puello stressed that deliberate, comprehensive healthcare planning is non-negotiable for the overall success of the regional event, adding that Dominican medical teams have completed specialized training and are fully equipped to deliver high-quality care to all attendees. The goal, he noted, is to ensure every participant and visitor leaves the Games with a positive, safe experience.

    Health authorities across the country have framed infrastructure and capacity upgrades to public hospitals and specialized medical centers as one of the most critical long-term legacies of the 2026 Games. Beyond supporting the event itself, these improvements will leave a permanent enhanced health infrastructure that benefits Dominican communities for decades after the closing ceremony, turning Games preparations into a public investment that extends far beyond sports.

  • Important or selfish? World Cup evidence mounts against Ronaldo

    Important or selfish? World Cup evidence mounts against Ronaldo

    HOUSTON, DALLAS — As global football powerhouses kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns in North America, the opening matchday for Portugal has turned into a burning debate over the future of one of the sport’s greatest ever players: Cristiano Ronaldo. While contemporaries Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland have all turned in electrifying early tournament performances, the 41-year-old Portuguese icon delivered a distinctly underwhelming showing in Wednesday’s 1-1 stalemate against the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving manager Roberto Martinez facing an existential selection dilemma ahead of the team’s second group stage match.

    Once locked in a legendary rivalry with Messi for the title of the world’s best active footballer, Ronaldo struggled to impose himself as Portugal’s central striker against the African underdogs. He completed the full 90 minutes but managed only 25 total touches on the ball — the lowest number he has ever recorded in a full match for Portugal at a major senior tournament. The gap in form between Ronaldo and Messi could not have been starker: just 24 hours before Portugal’s opening match, 38-year-old Messi bagged a hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria.

    For a Portugal side widely tipped as an outside contender for the World Cup title, a draw against the DRC marked a hugely underwhelming start. This World Cup is the DRC’s first appearance at the global tournament since 1974, when the nation competed under the name Zaire. Even as Portugal pushed desperately for a late winning goal, Ronaldo never looked likely to find the back of the net, yet Martinez opted to keep his veteran captain on the pitch for the entire match.

    Martinez defended his call after the final whistle, arguing that “When you are looking for goals you need Cristiano on the pitch, it makes no sense to get the best goal-scorer in the world out in a game where you need goals. In moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important.”

    The match has reignited long-simmering questions about Ronaldo’s place in the current Portugal setup as he nears the end of his legendary career. A former superstar of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus, Ronaldo has built his legacy on unparalleled fitness and an unwavering drive to be the best. This tournament sees him tie the record for appearing at six World Cups, a testament to his decades-long commitment to physical conditioning. This season alone, he scored 30 goals in 37 appearances for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, and he holds an all-time Portugal record of 143 international goals across 229 caps.

    As age has slowed his pace, Ronaldo has transitioned from a dynamic winger to a stationary central striker, but he failed to capitalize on his chances against the DRC — ranked 46th in the FIFA rankings compared to Portugal’s 5th spot. He pushed two close-range efforts wide after being teed up by winger Francisco Conceicao, and drew sharp criticism for poaching a cut-back pass that was destined for Bruno Fernandes, who was in a far better goalscoring position.

    Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry, commentating for Fox Sports, called out Ronaldo’s decision as selfish, noting “The team needs to score, not you need to score.”

    Ronaldo’s scoring drought at major tournaments now stretches back 10 matches, a clear indicator of his reduced impact at the highest level of international football. Back at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, former manager Fernando Santos made headlines when he dropped a out-of-form Ronaldo for the knockout stage, a decision that stunned the global football community. Four years on, critics say Martinez’s unwavering public support for the veteran is even more puzzling.

    When asked after the match if the DRC had a specific gameplan to mark Ronaldo, opposing midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau offered a blunt but respectful assessment: “Not really. We know he’s no longer the same player as before and that he’s older now. At his age he can no longer put in the same effort as before, but I have tremendous respect for him.”

    Mukau’s measured take was far milder than the backlash directed at both Ronaldo and Martinez from football pundits. Many analysts have accused Martinez of being unwilling to drop or substitute his captain out of fear of the backlash that would follow. Writing for the BBC after the match, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton slammed Martinez’s 83rd-minute substitution that saw him take off midfielder Vitinha rather than Ronaldo: “That’s embarrassing from Martinez. He’s scared to take him off. He’s not the manager… the game has passed him (Ronaldo) by today.”

    Critics point out that Martinez has no shortage of ready alternatives to Ronaldo in his squad. Goncalo Ramos, the young Paris Saint-Germain striker who replaced Vitinha against the DRC, is a natural out-and-out number nine and a proven replacement at the international level.

    Portugal’s next group stage match is against Uzbekistan, who are making their first-ever World Cup appearance this tournament. Even as mounting evidence suggests Ronaldo is no longer the right choice to start, most football observers expect the veteran captain to retain his place in Martinez’s starting eleven for the crucial second fixture.