"Embarrassing" Portugal coach "too scared" of Ronaldo

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World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).

"TOO SCARED OF RONALDO"

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has responded to criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo and his coaching strategy after they were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo.

The 41-year-old failed to rise to the occasion in his side’s World Cup opener, leading many to question if he should be playing at all.

Former Premier League player Chris Sutton said Martinez was “too scared” to take Ronaldo off the field while ex Arsenal star Thierry Henry suggested the veteran had been too selfish.

“That's embarrassing from Martinez. It might work but are we all watching a different game?” Sutton said on Thursday.

“He's scared to take him off. He's not the manager. (Ronaldo) may end up scoring the winner but the game has passed him by today."

Henry meanwhile said Ronaldo was too busy wanting to score than help his teammates out.

“Ronaldo has been in this position numerous times, he is in the box and if he makes the run here (away from the ball into the six yard box) he makes a different attacking decision, but because he wants to score, he goes into the path of (Bruno) Fernandes. He goes into that path and it’s easier to defend.

“The team needs to score, not you, and you saw it in the reaction of Fernandes afterwards. Make a run, create space. It didn’t happen.”

Amid the criticism, Martinez insists he would have been stupid to take on of the greatest layers of all time off the field and stood by his decisions.

“It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” Martinez said.

“We started very, very well. Our level, our control, the way we got into the penalty area.

“Scoring the goal — which is normally a moment when the emotion of scoring helps you keep control of the match and try to score a second goal — had the opposite effect.

“Instead, it made us want to keep possession of the ball. We gave Congo the opportunity to reorganise their defensive structure and setup their counterattacks, and we lost a lot of depth. That helped Congo.”

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

IVORY COAST PLAYER CAUGHT UP IN MATCH-FIXING SCANDAL

A match-fixing scandal has followed one star player to the World Cup.

The French Football league (Ligue de Football Professionnel LFP) has released a statement to confirm reports that Ivory Coast player Elye Wahi was arrested two weeks before joining up with his national side for the World Cup.

According to The Athletic, the 23-year-old is part of an active investigation into whether he deliberately got himself yellow carded during his club St Etienne’s draw with Nice in May Twelve days later, on May 29 he was arrested due to “an unusual volume of bets relating to a booking involving the player Elye Wahi”.

In a statement to The Athletic, the LFP said: “At this stage, and in view of the ongoing proceedings and the associated confidentiality requirements imposed on it by the police authorities, the LFP will not make any further comment and has not initiated any disciplinary proceedings. It reserves the right, however, to do so depending on how the investigations progress.

“The LFP reiterates that it remains fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of its competitions and that it will take the strongest possible action against any behaviour likely to compromise it.”

A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor's office released a statement: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France's Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor's office into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.

“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”

Wahi played 56 minutes for the Ivory Coast in the 1-0 win over Ecuador earlier this week.

FRIDAY FIXTURES

The second lot of group stage games kicks off on Friday in Australia (AEST).

• 2am - Czechia v South Africa (Group A)
• 5am - Switzerland v Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B)
• 8am - Canada v Qatar (Group B)
• 11am - Mexico v South Korea (Group A)

FT IN MEXICO CITY

Colombia has beaten Uzbekistan 3-1 in Mexico's capital.

Goals from Daniel Muñoz and Luis Diaz either side of Abbosbek Fayzullaev's equaliser gave the South Americans the ascendency before a late header from Jaminton Campaz secured all three points.

And that's a wrap on the first round of matches.

GOAL COLOMBIA!

An injury-time header from substitute Jaminton Campaz makes it 3-1.

GOAL COLOMBIA!

And the Colombians are 2-1 ahead fairly swiftly.

Luis Diaz fires home after Gustavo Puerta unlocked the door following an error in midfield from Uzbekistan.

Game on in Mexico City!

GOAL UZBEKISTAN!

Uzbekistan have levelled in the 60th minute.

The diminutive Abbosbek Fayzullaev is the man to bring the Uzbeks level with a close range finish. It came after Colombian keeper Camilo Vargas could only parry Eldor Shomurodov's nicely struck volley straight into Fayzullaev's path.

SPY GATE AS DRONE SHOT DOWN

A spying scandal has broken out at the World Cup with the Mexican National guard forced to shoot a drone out of the sky at South Korea training.

South Korea will play co-host Mexico in Guadalajara tomorrow (AEST) where victory will almost certainly secure either side a spot in the knock-out stages.

According to reports in the UK, two men were seen fleeing the scene after the incident and security have photos of the suspects.

"Yesterday during our training there was a drone in the sky, and we came to know about the fact,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. “But fortunately it was right before we practiced our tactics, so it did not impact us significantly," said the coach.

"But, while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important timing. So, what happened was unfortunate.

Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in their opening match while South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1.

"We fully understand that it's going to be a match with the home team, and we know that that's going to give benefits to the home team," he said.

"But my players have experienced such matches before, so it will be different tomorrow, and we need to control the rhythm and the flow of the match."

The incident has been reported to FIFA.

It comes just weeks after English side Southampton were kicked out of the Championship playoff and docked four points for next season after spying on their rivals.

1-0 AT HT

Colombia takes a 1-0 lead over Uzbekistan into the half-time break after a lovely goal from Daniel Muñoz.

The South Americans have been in control, constantly asking the question of the Uzbek defence in Mexico City.

CAMERAMAN CRUNCHED

Bizarre incident just now in the Uzbekistan v Colombia clash. Manchester City's Khusanov extended his leg out into attacker Luiz Diaz and in bringing him down also wiped out the pitch side cameraman. Absolutely crunched him.

Medical team attending to him now.

KANE PLOTTED PENALTY FARCE

Harry Kane's comments after england 4-2 victory over Croatia on Thursday (AEST) may spark more questons than intended with the captain saying he knew how to get the keeper off his line.

"When I watched the clips I saw he (Livakovic) likes to move early, so I knew that there was a chance that if I did the stutter that he would come off the line," Kane said.

"I was 80% sure that it was off the line, I wasn't 100% sure, then obvsiously when it got retaken I changed the technique a little bit.

"This is all why I do the research, and in the end it worked out nicely for me."

All very well doing the research but would have thought fosucing on scoring the penalty than playing for a retake would be the main onjective?

HEARTBREAK FOR PANAMA

Bang on the 95th minute, Ghana have finally found a way through and a frustrating point has now become an invaluable three thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi.

After a cagey, goalless affair, the substitute finally broke the deadline in the dying embers of the clash, but it was far from over following their go-ahead goal.

A final chance for Panama and the keeper goes up to help his side, he gets up but now it's all fisty cuffs and they're fighting. Everyone losing their heads, no idea why. Keeper copped a kick from a Panama player but looked accidental.

He's now having treatment. Just blow the whistle. This has been the worst match of the tournament so far.

HENRY SLAMS RONALDO

"The team needs to score, not you."

That’s the message from Thierry Henry to Cristiano Ronaldo who was being a little bit selfish during Portugal’s opening draw with DR Congo.

With Lionel Messi (hat-trick), Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe each scoring two or more goals in their opening World Cup matches yesterday, and Harry Kane later netting twice after Ronaldo played, there was a level of expectation that CR7 would do something similar.

But the perception from multiple pundits it the 41 year-old was too selfish in his approach to the match.

Arsenal, Barcelona and France legend Henry was critical of Ronaldo after his blunt performance.

“It’s important, the team needs to score, not you," Henry said after the shock 1-1 draw. "Portugal had a chance and Conceição has the ball.

"Ronaldo has been in this position numerous times, he is in the box and if he makes the run here (away from the ball into the six yard box) he makes a different attacking decision, but because he wants to score, he goes into the path of (Bruno) Fernandes. He goes into that path and it’s easier to defend.

“The team needs to score, not you, and you saw it in the reaction of Fernandes afterwards. Make a run, create space. It didn’t happen.”

GHANA HT SUB

The Ghanaians have been forced to sub goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi off after a couple of big collisions. The St Gallen gloveman has been throwing himself at everything in erratic fashion.

He's been replaced by Benjamin Asare.

HT IN TORONTO

It's 0-0 between Ghana and Panama with just one shot on target so far.

MESSI DRAGGED INTO RED CARD SAGA

Lionel Messi has been dragged into a red card controversy at the World Cup after South Africa midfielder Themba Zwane had his one match ban increased to three by FIFA.

Zwane received one of three red cards handed out during the tournament’s opening clash between south Africa and co-hosts Mexico.

A three match ban will likely mean Zwane plays no further part in the tournament given how unlikely it is that South Africa makes the last 16.

In the immediate aftermath of his side’s 2-0 defeat, South Africa coach Hugo Broos slammed the dismissal as soft and has now dragged the greatest player of all time into the debate.

“I think the, the red card, is too severe. I saw back the situation where Themba got the red card. I don’t think it was a red card,” Broos said. “When I see what happened yesterday with Messi, then I don’t agree.”

Footage of Messi, who scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match on Wednesday, going in for a studs up tackle on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi went viral with many questioning why he had not been sanctioned.

Zwane was red-carded only after a VAR review while nothing happened to Messi.

“I think there was not even a VAR with Messi,” Broos said. “I don’t want Messi to get a red card because that player has to be on the pitch and you, you saw yesterday what a wonderful player he is. But, yeah, what is the difference here?”

"SUICIDAL DEFENDING"

SEN's Paul Wade slams Croatia for their defensive approach to the Three Lions.

Calling the game and dissecting it afterwards on SEN's Fanatic feed, he said: "What went wrong with the sent pieces? Why weren’t we picking up players? That was suicidal what Croatia did. Modric needs help."

WAYNE ROONEY ON ENGLAND

Speaking to the BBC: "I loved it. I thought it was a great performance. They can do a little better with the two goals (they conceded) but so positive and getting to the ball, creating chances, making it hard for Croatia to get out.

"That was as exciting a first game of a tournament I've seen for a long time."

ALAN SHEARER

"I think there's so many positives to come out of that performance. The goals that they scored and how they stood strong when they did come under pressure.

"All in all a good night for England. Lots of positives."

ENGLAND SCORE!

Should disclose at this stage this coverage is being written by a long suffering England fan.

But it's coming home! England are actually playing good football at a World Cup. This is such a novel feeling.

Marcus Rashford nets their fourth of the game and please, this must mean it's done. My heart rate can't cope.

10 minutes to play.

🚨PENALTY DRAMA FOR ENGLAND🚨

Harry Kane's effort is saved but there's controversy as he claims the keeper Livakovic has come off his line. It has been sent for review.

ANOTHER PENALTY! The first was a poor effort from Kane but not the second! He's scored and England are ahead!!!

It was Luka Modric of all people that conceded the penalty, he unintentionally kicked Madwueke in an attempt to clear the ball. Right in front of the ref

Kane is lucky to get the retake, it's such a tight call on whether he was off the line.

"It's tiny, it's minimal but you can see between the white of the line and the heel of Dominik Livakovic's boot, there's green," former England stopper Joe Hart said on the BBC.

"He's definitely off his line."

ENGLAND GOAL!

Not 90 seconds into the second half of this incredible game, Jude Bellingham announces himself to the world. What a goal! An absolute belter of a strike from the right to left, across the face of goal and it's clean and perfect.

England lead for the third time. This game is off the charts.

CROATIA SCORE!

Horrendous defence from England. Sublime goal form Croatia on the half-time whistle.

Musa, who plays his football in Dallas, produced a wonder goal to wipe Kane's efforts but England will be demanding answers as to why the MLS striker was unmarked.

Pickford had no chance. Some debate about whether Perisic was offside, but no VAR review.

KANE SCORES

You simply cannot give Harry kane that much space in the box. England are dangerous on set pieces and that is a sublime header from the captain.

Totally unmarked at the top of the box and he has all the time and space in the world to score. Not one Croatian player was anywhere near him.

That's a 10th World Cup goal for Kane and he levels with Gary Linekar on goals at the global tournament.

CROATIA EQUALISE

An absolute hammer of a strike 36 minutes in.

Martin Baturina rifles the ball into the back of the net and levels the scores. Pickford got a hand to it but there was WAY too much power on that ball.

Crucial moment for Croatia.

RAGING RONALDO

If anyone knows what it's like inside the brain of the superstar it's Wayne Rooney. The duo played together for five years at Manchester United and the latter reckons his former teammate would be raging after this morning's result.

"He'll have been raging," said Rooney. "In a good way. That's how he's pushed himself, that's his mentality. Everything is a challenge to him. Over the years, him and Messi have pushed each other to reach these levels.

"He'll want to win firstly for Portugal to win the World Cup, but he'll want to be the top goalscorer.

"That's how he's pushed himself. When he sees other players scoring goals, he wants to be best. That's not in a bad way. He'll want to score two and score three tonight to show he's still at that level."

RONALDO LOOKS HIS AGE

Not the start Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal would have wanted. A day after Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe made history with their incredible individual and team performances, the Portuguese legend flopped.

They could only manage a point against DR Congo leaving some pundits questioning whether Ronaldo is (dare we say) passed it?

"He looked like an ageing member of the supporting cast for Portugal," Luke Edwards of the UK telegraph wrote. "This is his sixth World Cup but it has started in insipid fashion for him and his compatriots.

"The once superhuman footballer appeared, not just human, he looked every one of his 41 years.

"There will be people angered by that comment, but seriously, how much longer can a player who moved to the Saudi Pro League three years ago realistically operate at an elite level?"

It's a historic 1-1 for the DR Congo who are playing in the World Cup for only the second time.

Their shock result follows Cape Verde holding pre tournament favourites Spain to a 0-0 draw earlier this week.