Spanish coach Roberto Martínez, the manager of the Portugal national team, attempted to ease the pressure on his players following a difficult start at the 2026 World Cup, insisting that the team is not obliged to carry the burden of winning the title, but that the focus must be on delivering the required performance.
Speaking in comments reported by Portuguese newspaper Record after drawing 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in both sides' opening World Cup match, Martínez said Portugal had shown a distinguished level, noting that such a performance in the group stage gives the team an opportunity to correct its mistakes.
The Portugal coach added that his team started the match strongly, but that the early goal changed the way they played, explaining that the players lacked movement inside the penalty area and settled for ball possession without penetrating the attacking zones in the required manner.
Martínez noted that this allowed the Democratic Republic of Congo to reorganise their ranks and get back into the match, before scoring the equaliser from a set piece, saying that such details become highly significant in a tournament of the World Cup's scale.
The Spanish coach pointed out that Portugal played in their own style until the first goal was scored, before being affected by the competitive pressures of the World Cup, stressing that the team did not exploit available space as required, while also emphasising that the players' overall condition is good.
Martínez confirmed that the Portugal squad does not rely on a fixed group of players alone, noting that all 26 players in the squad are of great importance, and that performances will be assessed with a view to raising the level in upcoming matches.
The Portugal coach stressed that the team is not required to win the World Cup, saying that what is required is to play well and execute the instructions, and that the current objective is to accumulate as many points as possible in the group stage.
Martínez praised the performance of the Democratic Republic of Congo, affirming that such results are possible at the World Cup and that world rankings confer no advantage on the pitch, after the opponents approached the match as though it were a final.
The Portugal coach also addressed Cristiano Ronaldo's swift departure to the dressing room at the end of the match, explaining that the players are still adapting to some organisational details at the tournament, particularly regarding whether to remain on the pitch or leave after matches due to the volume of media interviews.